Broncos coach Sean Payton explains optimism for reaching Super Bowl
ENGLEWOOD — Sean Payton is not backing down from championship expectations.
The Broncos coach made that much clear in a recent interview with Yahoo Sports.
“The short-term goal is winning the division,” Payton told senior reporter Charles Robinson. “But this is a team capable of winning the Super Bowl. I’ve coached six teams that I thought could win the Super Bowl. Some went to championship games, some to the playoffs. This is my seventh team that I think has that.”
Payton added in the interview that quarterback Bo Nix is “going to be one of the top four or five quarterbacks in the league the next two years.”
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Payton rarely makes such declarative statements when speaking with local media who cover the team on a daily basis at Broncos Park. On Monday, after training camp practice, he touched briefly on why he believes this team has a championship makeup.
“Obviously, it has to start with (the) quarterback. It has to start with defense. It has to start with the offensive line. There are certain things that, if they’re not on point, it’s hard to make a statement like that,” Payton said. “When you look at some of these critical factors, I told them that (it) just means you have a chance. And then I would say, most importantly, ownership. Because there are 20 (teams) that each year have hopes and dreams and they’re dysfunctional at the top.”
Broncos’ co-owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner have been regular camp visitors.
“(Penner) is out here a lot. I really enjoy it,” Payton said earlier in training camp. “There was a little gap here in the offseason where we didn’t see each other, but we communicate daily. It’s nice. It’s good to have your owner in the building and very present. Both he and Carrie are and we’re fortunate that way.”
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Super Bowl odds
The Broncos have the 14th-best odds for winning Super Bowl LX, per FanDuel as of Monday.
—Ravens (+650)
—Bills (+700)
—Eagles (+750)
—Chiefs (+850)
—Lions (+1100)
—Rams (+1700)
—Packers (+1900)
—49ers (+1900)
—Commanders (+2000)
—Vikings (+2200)
—Bengals (+2300)
—Texans (+2400)
—Chargers (+2600)
—Broncos (+2700)
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Preseason plans
The Broncos travel this week for a joint practice and preseason game against the 49ers.
Payton said the format of Thursday’s joint practice is “laid out” with a team itinerary in place through next Tuesday.
Will starters in the joint practice not play Saturday in the preseason opener?
“Not so much,” Payton said. “There’s this feeling that: ‘Oh, if I practice them a bunch, then I’m not going to play them in the game.’ We’re playing guys in the game.”