The Denver Broncos are taking on the Tennessee Titans in the first game of the 2025 regular season, but only after they made some noteworthy final roster decisions. Most notably, the Broncos decided to make running back Jaleel McLaughlin inactive.
“#Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin was just sitting on the bench in tennis shoes while other guys were going through early warmups,” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel reported on X on September 7. “He’s inactive today, source said. Looks like Denver’s RB trio for Week 1 is likely J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie.”
Here are the rest of the Broncos’ inactives, which also notably include rookie draft picks Que Robinson and Sai’vion Jones.
Dobbins was a celebrated free agent pickup, and Harvey a rookie second-round draft pick.
The battle for a game day roster spot was always going to come down to Badie and McLaughlin, and it appears the former Baltimore Ravens sixth-round draft pick (2022) has beaten out the ex-undrafted free agent, who is inactive for the first time in his career.
Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin Inactive versus Cam Ward, Titans
- GettyCam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans on the sidelines against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Broncos’ decision on McLaughlin is noteworthy as they take on the Titans and quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 draft. Ward, the 2024 Heisman Trophy Award runner-up, is the first rookie quarterback to start against the Broncos in a season opener.
However, the Broncos present a daunting matchup for Ward. They are the NFL’s reigning sack kings in a situation most rookies have struggled in.
The Broncos’ task is to continue that trend against Ward and the Titans.
That figures to include the running game, and McLaughlin is the team’s leading returning rusher with 496 yards and 1 touchdown on 113 carries during the 2024 regular season. He was also once a favorite of Sean Payton and the Broncos’ coaching staff.
Broncos Get Good News About Injured LB Dre Greenlaw
- GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a stop against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.
The Broncos declared that linebacker Dre Greenlaw, one of the team’s many new offseason acquisitions, would miss the season opener. Greenlaw has a quad injury that he suffered during practice in training camp.
It is the second quad injury Greelaw has suffered, an ominous sign for a veteran player who is less than two years removed from a torn Achilles tendon.
However, Greenlaw’s outlook remains positive despite the ominous start to his Broncos tenure.
“I asked a source close to the situation how long they think #Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw will be out with quad injury and the source said ‘not long,’” the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported on X on September 6. “Source said ‘there’s a chance’ he could play in Week 2 at Indianapolis.”
Greenlaw inked a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Broncos in free agency this offseason, and he cited Broncos head coach Sean Payton as a reason.
Fittingly, Payton has said the Broncos will take a cautious approach with Greenlaw.
Sean Payton Told To Pump Brakes on Faith in 2025 Broncos
- GettyDenver Broncos head Coach Sean Payton looks on against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini looked back on her visit to Broncos training camp and Payton’s excitement about the current group’s outlook, even suggesting they could make a run to the Super Bowl.
Russini called it “that time of year” where “everyone loves everyone.”
Russini compared Payton’s affinity for Bo Nix and Co. to actor Tom Cruise expressing his love for Katie Holmes on Oprah in 2005. She also had a warning for the veteran head coach.
“Payton shared his gooey feelings: This might be his best team, and he isn’t shying away from Super Bowl talk. In the Broncos’ team meetings, there’s a Lombardi Trophy backdrop splashed across presentation slides,” Russini wrote on September 6. “This isn’t subtle; this is a full-on public declaration of his belief in the 2025 Denver Broncos.
“Coach, I’m a sucker for love, too, but I know better. In this league, you can fall in love fast … and fall out even faster. I’m not saying Payton shouldn’t be crushing hard — he has every right to be infatuated with his confident quarterback and his talented defense, led by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II — but in the NFL, relationships can change in a heartbeat.”
Russini cited Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets and Sam Darnold, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, and ex-Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons, all of whom signed with or were traded to new teams in free agency this spring and summer, as examples for Payton’s Broncos.
Legendary Broncos Coach Buys Super Bowl Bid
- GettyFormer Denver Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Payton, entering his third season in Denver, is not the only highly regarded coach buying the Broncos as Super Bowl contenders this season. Former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan is on board, too.
“They’ve got a chance to win the big one, and that’s what their goal is,” Shanahan said, per Tomasson on September 6.
Shanahan led the Broncos to the franchise’s first two Super Bowl wins.
The 2025 Broncos feature a slew of new faces around Nix. The team notched 10 wins last season despite being 1-6 in one-score games. They also snapped their playoff drought and believe their offseason roster changes have only made the group that much better.
Broncos Make Surprising Decision on FIX THIS for Titans Game
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