Denver Broncos

Though Melvin Gordon said he's "looking forward" to playing the Los Angeles Chargers twice a year, revenge wasn't the only reason he signed with the AFC West rival Denver Broncos this offseason.

"It ain't the biggest reason," he said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I think it's overrated, too."

How much is @MelvinGordon25 looking forward to playing his former team twice a year in the AFC West?

He tells us that and what led to him signing in Denver...

👇AUDIO👇 | #Broncos pic.twitter.com/MRwcnxDhCi

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 17, 2020

"I just thought I'd be a good fit," the running back added, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "I played against them twice a year, so I kinda seen how they used [Phillip] Lindsay, they like to run the ball. I felt it was a great opportunity there. I felt it was a good organization."

Gordon signed a two-year, $16 million contract with Denver less than a year after holding out for a better deal with the Chargers. After returning to the field in Week 5, he saw limited touches while splitting time with Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler thrived with 1,550 yards from scrimmage while Gordon was held to 908 in 12 games, his fewest yards per game since his rookie season.

Though he was a two-time Pro Bowler in five years with the organization, the 27-year-old now has a chance to prove he deserved more respect from Los Angeles.

The fans selected Florida cornerback CJ Henderson for the Denver Broncos with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft as part of Bleacher Report's user mock draft Saturday. 

Voting was conducted on the B/R app. Here's a look at the results so far:

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow (QB, LSU)
2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young (DE, Ohio State)
3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State)
4. New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons (LB, Clemson)
5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama)
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT, Alabama)
7. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn)
8. Arizona Cardinals: Tristan Wirfs (OL, Iowa)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama)
10. Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia)
11. New York Jets: Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville)
12. Las Vegas Raiders: CeeDee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma)
13. San Francisco 49ers: Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Javon Kinlaw (DT, South Carolina)
15. Denver Broncos: CJ Henderson (CB, Florida)

Henderson put together a breakout 2018 campaign with 38 total tackles, five passes defended, three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 12 games for the Gators. His numbers dipped a bit last season and he didn't record any picks, but he still racked up 11 passes defended in nine contests.

The 21-year-old Miami native should jump right into the Broncos' starting lineup opposite A.J. Bouye during his debut campaign. Bryce Callahan could provide a challenge for the No. 2 corner spot if he's back to full strength after missing last season with a foot injury, though.

The Broncos posted a 7-9 record in 2019 to miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season since winning the franchise's third championship in Super Bowl 50.

Denver's offseason moves have been headlined by the departures of cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency) and quarterback Joe Flacco (released) along with the arrival of running back Melvin Gordon, who joined with the Broncos after five years with the Chargers.

The focus is trying to build the best roster possible around second-year signal-caller Drew Lock, who showed promising signs while completing 64.1 percent of his attempts with seven touchdowns and three interceptions across five appearances as a rookie.

Adding Henderson in the first round would help the defensive cause, but the Broncos still have a lot of work left if they want to chase down the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.

Denver Broncos pass-rusher Von Miller opened up about his coronavirus diagnosis Friday during an appearance on NBC's Today show.

Miller discussed how surprised he was when he learned that he tested positive for COVID-19 (h/t Jori Epstein of USA Today): "I was shocked. I've been here in Denver for about four weeks now. I've probably left the house four times. With all those four times, I never got out of the car."

.@VonMiller joined @richeisenshow moments ago to detail his experience of coming down with, getting tested for and finding out he was COVID-19 positive. pic.twitter.com/1bRWlKVvg2

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) April 17, 2020

Miller also stressed the importance of taking a measured approach and waiting until the right time to get things back to normal with regard to the NFL: "Whatever is safe. That would always be my first precaution, whatever we have to do to get things back to normal, that's what we should do. We shouldn't move too fast."

Miller is the second known NFL player to test positive for COVID-19 following Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen. New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was also diagnosed, but he has since recovered.

The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro divulged Friday that he got tested after developing a cough. Miller said it started as a "simple cough" that progressively "got worse."

Miller is asthmatic and used his nebulizer, but he had an inkling something was wrong when it didn't give him the type of relief it usually does.

The Super Bowl 50 champion and MVP noted that his symptoms are only mild, however, and that he is feeling better.

Miller, 31, is coming off a 2019 season that saw him record eight sacks, 46 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits. While Miller was named to the Pro Bowl, the eight sacks were the second-lowest total of his career.

In nine NFL seasons, Miller has reached double-digit sacks seven times, including a career-high 18.5 in 2012, which was his second NFL campaign.

Miller's 106 career sacks are already the most in Broncos history, which is no small feat considering some of the great pass-rushers that have played in Denver over the years, including Simon Fletcher, Karl Mecklenburg, Trevor Pryce, Elvis Dumervil and Rulon Jones.

The Broncos have missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but they improved to 7-9 last season and there is some excitement surrounding the team because of the progression of quarterback Drew Lock, who was a second-round pick last year.

Defense is still Denver's hallmark, though, and Miller is set to lead the way again in 2020 provided his recovery continues to move in the right direction. 

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Bleacher Report's David Gardner interviews athletes and other sports figures for the podcast How to Survive Without Sports. In this episode, MLB outfielder Dexter Fowler.

Joby Branion, the agent of pass-rusher Von Miller, told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the Denver Broncos star tested positive for COVID-19. 

According to Rapoport, Miller will speak publicly Friday and is "at home resting and in good spirits."

The Broncos issued a statement on Miller's diagnosis:

"After experiencing flu-like symptoms, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has tested positive for COVID-19. Von has elected to share his diagnosis publicly to emphasize that anyone can be afflicted with coronavirus.

"Von is doing well and recovering at home in self-isolation. He remains under the care of team doctors, who are following all coronavirus treatment procedures to ensure a safe environment for Von and our community.

"Von is the first member of the Broncos' organization known to have tested positive for COVID-19."

This comes after Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported Wednesday that Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen was the first NFL player to test positive for the coronavirus amid the pandemic.

Rapoport noted the Broncos know about Miller's positive test.

Miller opened up to CBS Denver on April 11 about what he was doing with the coronavirus pandemic shutting down the sports world as a whole:

"I was in San Francisco before, working on the sand and the stairs. When the coronavirus started going crazy, we came back. I've got a gym here at the house. It's still not the same as San Francisco, but we're going to be able to hold it off until we can get back to San Francisco.

"Everybody's going through the same thing. It's a tough time. It's a crazy time."

While Allen was the first player to test positive, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton also tested positive and has since recovered from COVID-19. What's more, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported one member of the Los Angeles Chargers organization tested positive for the coronavirus with two others showing symptoms.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk noted former players Orlando McDaniel and Tom Dempsey died from the disease.

The NFL has made a number of adjustments to its offseason during the pandemic. In-person interviews and meetings with free agents and draft prospects were largely impossible to conduct, all public events surrounding the draft in Las Vegas were canceled and the league and its players association agreed to a virtual voluntary offseason program.

Miller has been with the Broncos his entire career since they selected him with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft. He is an eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection who won the Super Bowl MVP to cap off the 2015 campaign.

One week away from the start of the 2020 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos are reportedly looking to make a move up to select a wide receiver.  

Per The Athletic's Michael Lombardi, the Broncos are talking to the Cleveland Browns for the No. 10 overall pick. 

Lombardi noted that Cleveland is the "the target team" for the Broncos to get in front of two teams in need of help at receiver, the New York Jets (No. 11) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 12). 

As things currently stand, the Broncos' first pick will be at No. 15 overall. The team has been frequently mentioned as a potential trade-up candidate in the first round. 

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Monday that the Broncos could try to move up for one of the top offensive linemen. 

There are a number of teams picking in the top half of the first round that could pursue wide receivers. In addition to the Jets and Raiders, the Detroit Lions (No. 3), New York Giants (No. 4) and San Francisco 49ers (No. 13) all have a need at the position. 

One advantage for those teams is that this draft is loaded with talent at the position. B/R's Matt Miller has five wideouts ranked among his top 28 players, 10 in the top 50 and 13 with a grade of 81 or higher on his latest rankings. 

Miller's most recent mock draft has the Broncos selecting Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb at No. 15.

After going 4-1 in five starts as a rookie, Drew Lock is poised to be Denver's full-time starting quarterback in 2020. Courtland Sutton led the team with 1,162 receiving yards and six touchdowns, but no other receiver who finishing the year with the Broncos had more than 297 yards. 

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller is aiming to reach a new level in 2020. Already an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and a Super Bowl champion, Miller believes he can win the top individual award on defense this year and become one of the most feared players on the field.

"I really feel like some of my best ball is coming up," Miller told ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "Winning the Defensive Player of the Year and leading the league in sacks is attainable with the team I have, the people I have around me. I've just got to take advantage of the opportunities, I have go get it."

Miller is correct in that he'll have the opportunities available to him this year. Especially after the Broncos lost Derek Wolfe to free agency and added cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey.

Until last season, Miller had recorded at least 10 sacks for five consecutive years, with his career-high 18.5 coming as a 23-year-old in 2012. That was Miller's second year in the league. The closest he's been to that mark since came in 2018 when he racked up 14.5.

Now entering his age 31 season, Miller believes he can step up his game again and deliver a career season—starting by torturing opposing quarterbacks.

"I feel like sacks and Defensive Player of the Year Award go together," Miller said. "I believe lead the league in sacks, they go hand-in-hand. It was about sacks before and it's about sacks now, about sacks, winning games, coaching some of these young guys now."

The last linebacker to win DPOY was Khalil Mack in 2016 with the then-Oakland Raiders. Except he didn't lead the league in sacks that year. Vic Beasley paced the NFL with 15.5 sacks that season, while Miller finished second with 13.5.

Instead, Mack tallied 73 total tackles, 11 sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown.

However, Miller attempting to win the award shouldn't bother Denver. As long as he's setting a high goal and staying within himself on the field, the Broncos will benefit. Adding some extra hardware at the end of the season would only make that type of season sweeter.

Reported deals via NFL.com's free-agency tracker. Reported statistics via ProFootballReference.com 

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway and head coach Vic Fangio said Tuesday there will be a backfield timeshare between free-agent signing Melvin Gordon and the returning Phillip Lindsay in 2020.

"Pretty commonplace in the NFL right now to have two backs share the running back duties," Fangio told reporters. "There's a lot of work to be had for the both of them. We'll see how it unfolds." 

Elway added: "The discussions we had with it, we thought it was important to have two really good backs. In landing Melvin, we thought it was a good combination with Phillip."

Lindsay has exceeded expectations since signing with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

He earned a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie after rushing for 1,037 yards on 192 carries (5.4 YPC) to go along with nine touchdowns. He added 1,011 rushing yards and seven scores in 2019.

The 25-year-old Denver native told Mike Klis of 9News he won't give up the No. 1 spot on the depth chart without a fight, though.

"When camp comes around it's going to be a battle," Lindsay said Monday. "I'm not just going to sit there and give somebody the job. They can. But I'm going to go out there and I'm going to battle."

He made it clear the situation isn't personal, saying "Melvin's not my enemy. He's my teammate. He needs to do his job but best believe I'm going to do my job."

Gordon, who signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Broncos, said he's willing to share carries with the Broncos' incumbent starter.

"These last few days I've been watching film on him as well just kind of seeing how they open things up for him and analyzing him a little bit," Gordon told reporters. "I think we can be a great one-two punch. Me and Austin [Ekeler] were kind of that one-two punch. I feel like we were one of the better tandems in the league. I just hope to continue that with Lindsay."

He averaged 17 touches last season with the Los Angeles Chargers while splitting time with Ekeler.

The Broncos will likely lean heavily on their rushing attack and short-yardage passing game next season to take pressure off second-year quarterback Drew Lock. That should create enough opportunities to keep both Gordon and Lindsay busy in 2020.

There will be a healthy competition between Denver Broncos running backs Philip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon, but not animosity. 

"Melvin's not my enemy," Lindsay told 9News.com's Mike Klis on Monday. "He's my teammate. He needs to do his job but best believe I'm going to do my job."

The 25-year-old added:

"When camp comes around it's going to be a battle. I'm not just going to sit there and give somebody the job. They can. But I'm going to go out there and I'm going to battle. I've heard this stuff my whole entire life. And it's never ever panned out how everybody has wanted it to pan out. Until someone proves me wrong, I'm going to continue to do what I do.

[...]

"My initial reaction is at the end of the day I've got to produce so that I can put food on the table for my family. I can't worry about anything else that's going on. Honestly. He's going to do his part and I'm going to do my part. At the end of the day, I don't need 20 carries to make 100 yards. I don't think I've ever had 20 carries."

The Broncos officially signed Gordon to a two-year contract on March. 26.

The 26-year-old was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers 15th overall in 2015. He missed the first four games of last season because of a contract holdout that ultimately failed. Once on the field, Gordon rushed for 612 yards and eight touchdowns on 162 carries across 12 games (11 starts).

Overall with the Chargers, Gordon tallied 4,240 yards and 36 touchdowns on 1,059 rushes. His lone 1,000-yard rushing campaign came in 2017.

Lindsay signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Since then, the Colorado product has back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons along with 16 total touchdowns on 416 carries. Lindsay became the first undrafted offensive rookie in league history to make the Pro Bowl.

Not invited to the combine. Overlooked by all 32 teams. Not drafted. @I_CU_boy just made history by becoming the 1st offensive undrafted rookie to make THE PRO BOWL. Easily one of the best underdog sports stories.. ever. pic.twitter.com/3n5kYgXjaK

— Jeremy Bloom (@JeremyBloom11) December 19, 2018

Lindsay showed he is not intimidated by anything when he called Broncos Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis and asked his permission to don his No. 30:

Appreciate you, TD! Honored and humbled to wear your number. I will do everything I can to make you proud! 🔷🔶🔷🔶 https://t.co/2vU7yfm8OL

— Phillip Lindsay (@I_CU_boy) September 4, 2018

To Lindsay's point, he has only exceeded 20 carries in a single game once—he rushed 21 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns last season against Green Bay—but he has eclipsed 100 yards in five career games.

Broncos General Manager and President of Football Operations John Elway explained in a statement the organization's decision-making in signing Gordon:

"Obviously we had two good backs in Royce Freeman and [Phillip] Lindsay. We know that [Lindsay] is a guy that's had a great year for us. I know there's people going, 'Why do you need another horse?' Well, when you have an opportunity for Melvin Gordon to come in here, we felt like it was an addition to the team. He's a guy that obviously has had a lot of success in this league. He's scored a lot of touchdowns and has caught the football a ton. So we feel like with him—with Melvin, as well as Phillip—that we've got a great one-two punch, and we'll only get better in the backfield.

"Ultimately, we have to score more points this year. We've struggled on the offensive side the last two, three years, and so we've got to get better on that side. I think Melvin will be one of those key pieces to help us get better."

The @Broncos reportedly made a splash in free agency on Friday adding Melvin Gordon to the backfield. @AricDiLalla and I broke down what it means for the offense next season. pic.twitter.com/yMkKClnK0W

— Phil Milani (@philmilani) March 21, 2020

The Broncos (still un-finished) offense now includes:

QB Drew Lock
RB Phillip Lindsay
RB Melvin Gordon
WR Courtland Sutton
TE Noah Fant
LG Dalton Risner
RG/C Graham Glasgow
RT Ja'Wuan James pic.twitter.com/rgtvdxmyFZ

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 20, 2020

Denver ranked 20th in rushing offense (103.9 yards per game) and 28th in scoring offense (17.6 points per game) during the 2019 regular season.

The 7-9 Broncos were sparked by rookie second-round quarterback Drew Lock in December—going 4-1 in Lock's first five NFL starts.

That momentum paired with Gordon's motivation to prove doubters wrong and Lindsay's determination to stay the team's No. 1 option could propel Denver to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Former NFL cornerback and kick returner Goldie Sellers died Saturday of complications from cancer.

He was 78.

“He went away very, very peacefully," said Vasa “Peaches” Sellers, Goldie’s wife, per Mike Klis of 9News. “I asked God to not let him suffer and he answered that prayer."

The Denver Broncos released a statement saying they were "saddened" by Sellers' death. He played for the franchise from 1966 to 1967 and was part of the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl IV championship team.

“He was very proud of being a Denver Bronco and just as proud of being a Kansas City Chief," Vasa said.

In 55 career games, Sellers recorded 13 interceptions and seven forced fumbles. He set a career high with seven picks, including one returned for a touchdown, in 1967.

His football career ended due to a combination of a thigh injury and a desire to return to his Colorado home in 1971. He then worked as a salesman for Mountain Bell for nearly 30 years.

Sellers is survived by his wife, Vasa, and their daughter, Goldie Genean.

Nose tackle Shelby Harris will return to the Denver Broncos as the two sides reportedly agreed to a one-year deal Friday.

Per Brandon Kristzal of KOA NewsRadio, Harris' new contract will be worth $2 million guaranteed ($3,250,000 million max value).

A six-year NFL veteran, Harris played the past three seasons with the Broncos. He became a full-time starter in 2019, recording career highs with nine pass breakups, six sacks and 49 combined tackles. 

Despite not receiving a lot of attention at the start of free agency, Evan Silva of Establish the Run noted the 28-year-old performed well in many areas aside from the raw counting stats last season:

Shelby Harris' market surprisingly quiet

* Experience at NT, 3T, 5T
* 6 sacks, 8 TFLs in '19
* 9 pass breakups led all NFL DTs
* Only 1 penalty on 638 snaps
* On right side of 30
* Per @PFF, 28 pressures 19th most among 96 qualified DTs. Only played 60% of #Broncos DEF snaps

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 20, 2020

Harris has turned into a great success story after being a seventh-round draft pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2014. He appeared in just eight games over two seasons with them and bounced around with stints for the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys practice squad before landing in Denver. 

Appearing on Ian Rapoport's RapSheet and Friends podcast in January (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra), Harris explained he would like to remain with the Broncos but also understood this was his best chance to land a lucrative contract:

"We love Denver, we have a great nanny, and people don't realize how important that is. We have an amazing nanny who we don't want to leave but at the end of the day, I'm 28. We got one shot at this. This is not for me, this is for my kids, for my kids' kids and I want to make sure that they're OK, regardless, know what I mean? It means a little bit more to me, I want to stay in Denver but, at the end of the day, I understand that there's a chance it could not happen."

The Broncos were ultimately able to make a deal work with Harris. He will likely share time at defensive tackle with Jurrell Casey, who was acquired from the Tennessee Titans. 

Harris worked his way up from obscurity to a full-time starter last season. Now, with a new contract in hand, he will have the opportunity to continue establishing himself as a top-tier defensive tackle.