Denver Broncos training camp: Day one notes and observations

The Denver Broncos have officially kicked off 2021 training camp. How was the first day of the QB competition? Who is standing out already?

Football season is back. The Denver Broncos are back. Minicamp and OTAs are in the books, and from now to the end of the 2021 season, there will be no real breaks in the NFL action. Fans everywhere rejoice.

The Denver Broncos returned to the practice field, per mandates in the new collective bargaining agreement, in just helmets — no shoulder pads or leg pads. Because of that, it’s important to take everything that happened in practice with somewhat of a grain of salt.

This is not full-contact, 11-on-11 football for two hours. Speaking of two hours, that is the length practice is limited to in the early goings of camp, per the CBA. As camp progresses, the Denver Broncos (and all NFL teams) will be permitted more practice time and days where they can actually put on the pads and hit. The first day for that will be next week.

Even without pads and shorter than Vic Fangio’s preferred practice time of around two hours, 45 minutes, there are plenty of things to glean and players to praise for their work on the field.

As Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater split reps as Vic Fangio promised they would, which quarterback stood out?

How did all of the players coming back from injuries look?

Which unheralded players made plays?

What are some key depth chart updates?

All of that and more just ahead.