5 takeaways after the 2nd day of Broncos training camp acclimation

The Denver Broncos wrapped up their pre-camp acclimation on Thursday with a second ramp-up practice. The club is now ready to begin full-speed practice on Friday.

“So [today was] our second day," coach Sean Payton said after practice. "One thing a little different with just this year’s installation, we kind of jumped right to red zone and put it ahead of maybe what we had done the first three years. Defensively, we had a real good day down there. There’s going to be kind of those ebbs and flows as a team, but I thought we had good work.

Before about 1,000 fans arrive for the first official practice of camp, here are a few quick takeaways from Thursday's session, which was highlighted by news about a player who never played for the club.

1. Sean Payton will present Drew Brees at Hall of Fame : Brees asked Payton to be his presenter for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Saints posted a great video from the former QB's call to Payton, which he said "caught me off guard." Payton said he filmed two separate three-hour interviews about Brees' career for the Hall of Fame to use at his enshrinement ceremony because he wasn't certain the first one was complete enough. "I just know that if we do the whole thing over again, there are going to be certain answers that are different that you reflect on," Payton said. "I’m excited for him. As a coach, it’s an honor that someone would ask you to do that.”

2. Sean Payton will miss a day of practice : Payton and several members of Denver's staff who used to work with Brees in New Orleans will leave after practice on Friday, Aug. 7, to travel to Canton for Brees' enshrinement on Saturday, Aug. 8. Payton and the team's traveling coaches will miss the team's Saturday practice. “There are a handful of guys here that shared a lot of those memories, and we’ll be excited for him," Payton said. Vance Joseph will "probably" run the practice that Payton misses.

3. Kareem Jackson's no longer with the team : Jackson, 38, played safety for the Broncos from 2019-2023. After hanging up his cleats, Jackson returned to the club in 2025. He started out as a personnel assistant before switching to working as a southwest regional scout . Jackson, however, "has moved on and is no longer with the team ," according to KOA's Benjamin Allbright.

4. Jaylen Waddle wowed with one-handed catch : Waddle, the team's big offseason acquisition , stole the show with an impressive one-handed catch. Denver's social media team shared video of the catch on Twitter/X and ex-quarterback Ben DiNucci tweeted that the "Broncos haven’t had that type of playmaker in years."

So 2 things 1. Cleanest Bo has looked mechanically in his NFL career - ball is jumping out of his hand , looks healthy 2. Waddle looks fun - Broncos haven’t had that type of playmaker in years pic.twitter.com/86NP7qb2KN

— Ben DiNucci (@B_DiNucci6) July 30, 2026 5. Standout of the day — CB Sean Fresch : The former UFL cornerback was named the day's winner by the Denver Post 's Luca Evans after a pair of great 7-on-7 reps and an interception during full team drills. DNVR's Zac Stevens dubbed it a " great INT ," and The Athletic's Nick Kosmider described it as the day's " top play ." Fresch lept to intercept a Sam Ehlinger pass in the end zone. The Denver Gazette 's Chris Tomasson called it a " nifty interception ."

Up next is the official Day 1 of training camp on Friday. We'll have full coverage on Broncos Wire .

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 5 takeaways after the 2nd day of Broncos training camp acclimation

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