Ex-Broncos starting QB returns to familiar team (plus more ex-Denver player updates)
The 33-year-old quarterback has signed with the Tennessee Titans, the team announced Monday. It's a familiar team for Siemian as he spent the 2020 campaign on Tennessee's practice squad, and he returned to the Titans in 2024.
Siemian entered the league with the Denver Broncos as a seventh-round pick out of Northwestern in the 2015 NFL draft. He unexpectedly won Denver's starting quarterback job after Peyton Manning retired in 2016, and Siemian went 13-11 as a starter over two seasons. The Broncos traded Siemian to the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and he spent that season as a backup behind Kirk Cousins.
Since then, Siemian has spent time with six other teams, going 15-18 as a starter in his career. Siemian has completed 58.5% of his passes for 7,751 yards with 44 touchdowns against 32 interceptions since 2016.
Elsewhere on the ex-Broncos front, the Washington Commanders signed cornerback Essang Bassey and worked out pass rusher Ronnie Perkins. The Las Vegas Raiders signed wide receiver Marquez Callaway, and fellow receiver Seth Williams reverted to Las Vegas' injured reserve list after clearing waivers. Finally, the New England Patriots signed defensive lineman Kyle Peko.
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New York Times
27 minutes ago
- New York Times
Broncos QB Bo Nix ran frequently as a rookie. How will that evolve in Year 2?
The Denver Broncos quarterback got to the top of his dropback on third-and-forever and quickly improvised. He rolled to his left as the San Francisco 49ers sent pass rushers in pursuit. He directed his targets with the point of a finger, hoping he could find a window to deliver a pass down the field. Advertisement With options dwindling, the quarterback ran. He opened his stride, beat a defender to the edge, juked another and then slid down to finish an 18-yard gain that kept a scoring drive alive. It was a familiar sight for Broncos fans — only not from Jarrett Stidham. 'He made some plays with his feet,' a smirking Bo Nix said of his backup after Saturday's preseason game in Santa Clara, Calif., 'which isn't common for him.' Nix routinely made improvisational plays last season that ended with him turning upfield and making big plays with his legs. His 92 rush attempts were the most by a Broncos quarterback since Tim Tebow rushed 122 times in 2011. Much of the running Tebow did that season, though, was built into the game plan. Only 26 percent of his runs were classified as scrambles, according to TruMedia. However, scrambles accounted for 54 percent of Nix's rush attempts during his rookie season, and those plays added a dynamic element to Denver's offense. The Broncos had an EPA (expected points added) of 1.17 points per game on Nix's scrambles, a figure that ranked seventh among full-time starting quarterbacks in the NFL last season. Nix's 41 rushing first downs last season were fifth-most in the league among players at the position, behind only Jalen Hurts (62), Jayden Daniels (55), Josh Allen (51) and Lamar Jackson (47). Bo Nix Broncos Broncos coach Sean Payton has said that Nix's speed in the open field was a trait the team didn't fully grasp in its pre-draft evaluation of the quarterback because Nix chose not to run at the combine. Asked near the start of training camp whether he believed Nix would have been harder for the Broncos to obtain with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 draft if the quarterback opted into sprints and agility drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, Payton said he wasn't sure, but added: 'I'm glad he didn't.' Advertisement As Nix enters his second season as Denver's starting quarterback, piloting a team that has been outspoken about its championship aspirations, the Broncos have no plans to meddle with his running instincts. However, they are emphasizing an important caveat. 'The audit would be more in regard to protecting himself at the end of those plays and the timing of when (the run) is a got-to-have-it versus (not),' Payton said. 'So we're comfortable with (Nix scrambling); it's a strength. When the combine came, he didn't shuttle. He didn't do a number of these drills that I thought he would be exceptional at. 'Later, he told me he had a turf toe, and it made sense. But when you watched him, you thought, 'This guy is tough to sack.' ' Nix started every game for the Broncos last season, including the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, making him the first Denver quarterback to do so since Case Keenum in 2018. He also dealt with a back injury that occurred when he suffered three transverse process fractures — bony projections on the end of the vertebrae — after taking a hit and getting 'twisted up' at the end of a play against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12. Nix didn't miss a meaningful snap, but the 'annoying' injury, as he called it, was a reminder of the risk each play brings. The Broncos can't minimize all of it, but the messaging has been clear: Make sure each run has an escape hatch. 'He won a lot of downs for us last year with his feet,' Payton said. 'It's just being smart at the tail end.' There may be a natural decline in Nix's scramble attempts due to his increased familiarity with the offense and a better understanding from his receivers about how their quarterback prefers to make plays when he leaves the pocket. Nix had 26 scrambles in the first seven games of his rookie season. He had only 24 across his final 10 as he finished more of his pocket-escaping plays with throws to receivers who did a better job mirroring his scrambles. Advertisement That escape-to-throw trend has continued in his second training camp. An example came during last week's joint practice with the 49ers. Nix was flushed to his right by pressure on third-and-long and moved toward the sideline. At the last minute, he flung a cross-body throw from a lowered arm slot to nail Devaughn Vele for a first down. 'He's got to be the best thrower on the run in the NFL,' said Broncos wide receiver Trent Sherfield, who has benefitted from Nix's mobility on several big pass plays during camp. 'His accuracy when he runs and throws the ball, the way he processes information and communicates with us as receivers, you would never think this guy is in his second year.' Nix puts tireless work into preparing his body to run. In a video titled 'The In Between,' documenting some behind-the-scenes elements of Nix's offseason training that was recently posted to his YouTube page, the quarterback said his father and high school coach, Patrick Nix, made him join the track team during the offseason to enhance his speed. Nix still incorporates track workouts into his regimen. He routinely fills breaks in between practices with more sprints. 'When he gets out of the pocket, man, he can run,' said new Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who was running alongside Nix early in training camp as he ramped his way back up from an offseason quad injury. 'The other day, we were running and trying to hit 90 percent of our speed. The dude was behind me, and I'm not a slow person, so I started running. 'All of a sudden, I heard shoo, shoo, shoo, and he's coming up behind me and just goes, zoom! He can run now. That's going to be everything you need in a quarterback. When things get hectic, when things break down, a guy who can make plays and extend plays with his legs and has the arm to make any play on the field.' The Broncos fully trust Nix to make the right decision at the end of those off-script plays, the kind that make up a sizable chunk of any team's offensive diet. But with a reloaded backfield and new targets for Nix to find in the passing game, Payton also won't be heartbroken if his quarterback doesn't lead the team in rushing in 33 percent of the team's games, including the playoffs, like he did as a rookie. If preseason is any sign of future use, Saturday was the first time in a combined 21 preseason, regular-season and playoff games that Nix did not have a rush attempt. For his part, Nix wants to keep expanding his menu of ways to damage defenses when a play reaches its second act. 'I just want to go out there and make the best play at that time, whether it's running, whether it's finding a person to throw it to,' he said. 'So we've been practicing that, this offseason, this training camp. It's hard to kind of really (practice) them because they're so abrupt. They're out of nowhere. You just go out there and try to make a play and don't make something bad, worse.' Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How former Wisconsin wide receiver fared in NFL preseason debut
Former Wisconsin and Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike took the field at Raymond James Stadium for his NFL preseason debut on Saturday. In his first professional action since being selected with the No. 103 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft, Dike reeled in one reception for six yards in Tennessee's 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. His first catch as a professional arrived in the third quarter from backup quarterback Brandon Allen. The former four-year Badger projects to suit up as the Titans' No. 2 slot wide receiver behind veteran pass-catcher Tyler Lockett. Wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Van Jefferson and tight end Chig Okonkwo are also forecasted to suit up alongside Lockett at the organization's starting unit on the outside. Dike is one of several Badger playmakers on offense or defense to make their NFL preseason debuts this weekend, joining Hunter Wohler (Colts), Graham Mertz (Texans), Joe Huber (Vikings) and Jack Nelson (Falcons). The Waukesha, Wisconsin, native appeared in 44 games for UW from 2020-23, totaling 97 receptions, 1,478 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. As a junior, he posted a career year with 47 catches, 689 yards and six scores before transferring to Florida ahead of the 2024 slate. With Mertz under center with the Gators, Dike snagged 42 catches for a career-best 783 yards and two touchdowns. A strong performance at the combine resulted in the former Badger being the 15th wide receiver selected during the 2025 draft. The Titans will trot out No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward at quarterback this season, with Dike lining up as a depth receiver. The franchise begins its season on Sept. 7 vs. the Denver Broncos. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football receiver Chimere Dike NFL preseason Week 1 stats
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
How former Wisconsin wide receiver fared in NFL preseason debut
Former Wisconsin and Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike took the field at Raymond James Stadium for his NFL preseason debut on Saturday. In his first professional action since being selected with the No. 103 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft, Dike reeled in one reception for six yards in Tennessee's 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. His first catch as a professional arrived in the third quarter from backup quarterback Brandon Allen. The former four-year Badger projects to suit up as the Titans' No. 2 slot wide receiver behind veteran pass-catcher Tyler Lockett. Wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Van Jefferson and tight end Chig Okonkwo are also forecasted to suit up alongside Lockett at the organization's starting unit on the outside. Dike is one of several Badger playmakers on offense or defense to make their NFL preseason debuts this weekend, joining Hunter Wohler (Colts), Graham Mertz (Texans), Joe Huber (Vikings) and Jack Nelson (Falcons). The Waukesha, Wisconsin, native appeared in 44 games for UW from 2020-23, totaling 97 receptions, 1,478 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. As a junior, he posted a career year with 47 catches, 689 yards and six scores before transferring to Florida ahead of the 2024 slate. With Mertz under center with the Gators, Dike snagged 42 catches for a career-best 783 yards and two touchdowns. A strong performance at the combine resulted in the former Badger being the 15th wide receiver selected during the 2025 draft. The Titans will trot out No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward at quarterback this season, with Dike lining up as a depth receiver. The franchise begins its season on Sept. 7 vs. the Denver Broncos. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
