A former Denver Broncos quarterback who was on the team that won the 2016 Super Bowl has thrown his University Park home on the market for $3 million.

The 6,022-square-foot home at 2519 S. Columbine St. is owned by Malakai Properties LLC, according to public records. State records in Nevada, where the LLC is registered, list Brock Osweiler as the manager.

Osweiler purchased the five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence for $2.75 million in January, according to property records. The modern home, which was built last year, features custom wood finishes throughout, including white oak hardwood floors and wood beamed ceilings, as well as expansive windows that “flood the home with natural light,” according to the listing.

The former quarterback was drafted in the second round by the Broncos in 2012 following his graduation from Arizona State University, and mainly served as a backup to Peyton Manning.

After the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl, Osweiler signed a $72 million deal with the Houston Texans. He was then traded to the Cleveland Browns but was released before the 2017 season, so he re-signed with the Broncos. He played his last season with the Miami Dolphins, retiring in 2019.

Address: 2519 S. Columbine St., Denver

Listing price: $3 million

Stats: The two-story residence boasts 4,201 square feet above ground level, plus a 1,821-square-foot finished basement with a bar and wine cellar.

The finer things: The home’s sleek modern open floor plan includes a chef’s kitchen with quartzite countertops, an oversized center island, walk-in pantry, hot water faucet, and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. The main suite features a sliding barn door, a huge custom walk-in closet, and a large bathroom with a double quartz vanity, heated flooring, subway tile accent walls, walk-in shower and freestanding tub.

An airy great room is lined with a floor-to-ceiling glass folding wall that opens to the outdoor patio, which includes a fireplace, built-in grill, fridge, and a Mangiafuoco wood-fired pizza oven from Italy.

Seller: Malakai Properties LLC, managed by Brock Osweiler

Listing agent: Anne Dresser Kocur with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

This Broncos roster is new, Part 1: 38.9% of the 90 players (35) were acquired on general manager George Paton’s watch.

It is new, Part 2: Only 13 players pre-date coach Vic Fangio’s hiring in January 2019.

It is young, Part 1: 64 players are age 25 or younger.

And it is young, Part 2: 20 players are rookies.

All of Paton’s moves, from trading for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to drafting cornerback Pat Surtain II, to signing cornerbacks Ronald Darby/Kyle Fuller to keeping outside linebacker Von Miller, were done with the goal of breaking a woeful five-year playoff drought.

Here is our first projection at how the initial 53-man roster will look following the cut-down date Aug. 31:

Offense (24)

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater.

Out: Brett Rypien.

Analysis: No drama here. A potentially big question is who serves as Aaron Rodgers’ backup if he is acquired from Green Bay? Our guess is Lock. Lock would also be our choice to start in Week 1 against the New York Giants.

Running backs (4)

In: Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon, Mike Boone and Royce Freeman

Out: LeVante Bellamy, Damarea Crockett and Adam Prentice (FB).

Analysis: This is when things get interesting after Gordon (led the team in rushing last year), Williams (Paton traded up in the second round to draft him) and Boone (who followed Paton from the Vikings). A third-round pick in 2018, Freeman is still affordable on his rookie contract and has value as a third-down back and on special teams (159 snaps in ’20). The Broncos could keep Freeman in case he is needed or they could flip him in late August to a running back-needy team.

Tight ends (3)

In: Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam and Andrew Beck (TE/FB).

Out: Eric Saubert, Shaun Beyer and Austin Fort.

Analysis: Leaving Saubert off the roster was our toughest decision offensively — he has 10 catches in 348 career offensive snaps so blocking is his trade. Beck provides value as a fullback/blocking tight end. Okwuegbunam (torn ACL last November) isn’t expected to be full-go when camp begins so Beyer (undrafted free agent) and Fort (out 2019-20 with knee injuries) will get plenty of snaps. Fant’s progress will define this position group.

Receivers (6)

In: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick, Tyrie Cleveland and Diontae Spencer (KR/PR).

Out: Trinity Benson, Kendall Hinton, DeVontres Dukes, Warren Jackson, Branden Mack, Seth Williams, Damion Willis, De’Mornay Pierson-El and Amara Darboh.

Analysis: If the Broncos run a lot of five-receiver personnel in camp, they have enough for Lock, Bridgewater and Rypien. We’re kidding … kind of. A whopping 15 receivers are under contract after Pierson-El and Darboh signed Thursday following minicamp tryouts. The issue is finding a way to get six receivers active on game-day instead of the usual five because of Cleveland’s special teams ability. The offseason program offered little except for Jeudy’s consistency. Sutton (torn ACL last September) was kept out of team drills, Hamler (hamstring) did side-field work and Patrick (hamstring) did limited running around. Williams, a seventh-round rookie, is ticketed for the practice squad.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Garett Bolles (LT), Dalton Risner (LG), Lloyd Cushenberry (C), Graham Glasgow (RG), Bobby Massie (RT), Netane Muti (G), Austin Schlottmann (G), Quinn Meinerz (C) and Calvin Anderson (RT).

Out: Cam Fleming (T), Quinn Bailey (T), Cody Conway (T), Patrick Morris (C/G), Adam Himmelman (T) and Nolan Laufenberg (G).

Analysis: The Broncos will try and sell that there will be two starting competitions — Cushenberry vs. Meinerz at center and Massie vs. The Field at right tackle. We buy only center being up for grabs and we would stick with Cushenberry, who showed improvement during the second half of ’20. Right tackle is Massie’s spot if he stays healthy; he missed minicamp with a pectoral issue. Fleming only makes the team if he starts at right tackle. Muti should be a lock as a backup guard. Anderson, who also missed minicamp, saw his legend grow in the eyes of some during the offseason (not sure why) but needs to play well in August to secure a roster spot.

Defense (26)

Defensive linemen (6)

In: Shelby Harris (DE), Mike Purcell (NT), Dre’Mont Jones (DE), Shamar Stephen (DL), DeShawn Williams (DE) and McTelvin Agim (DL).

Out: Jonathan Harris, Isaiah Mack, Deyon Sizer and Marquiss Spencer.

Analysis: Not a lot depth here, right? The starting three of Shelby Harris, Purcell and Jones is solid, particularly on passing downs because Harris/Jones provide a good interior pass-rushing duo. Stephen was in Minnesota last year with Paton and we pencil him as the No. 4 guy. After that, uncertainty. Agim was a third-round pick in ’20, which helps his chances of making the initial roster unless he’s a total bust in camp. He remains an unknown because last year’s preseason was cancelled and he played only 141 snaps. We went back and forth on whether to keep Agim or Spencer (seventh-round rookie), but decided Spencer would have a better chance of clearing waivers and joining the practice squad. Williams makes the team as the fifth lineman after starting 11 games last year when Jones, Jurrell Casey and DeMarcus Walker got hurt.

Outside linebackers (5)

In: Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Malik Reed, Derrek Tuszka and Jonathon Cooper.

Out: Andre Mintze and Pita Taumoepenu.

Analysis: In 32 games, Fangio has had Miller/Chubb together for only four (0-4 start in ’19); Chubb tore his ACL to miss the last 12 games that season and Miller (ankle) didn’t get to the starting line last year. Both have much on the line — Miller is in the final year of his deal and Chubb is working toward a mega contract extension. If they can’t combine for at least 20 sacks, it means the Broncos didn’t lead very often. Reed had eight sacks in 785 snaps last year and is a dependable third rusher. Tuszka, a seventh-round pick in ’20, has special teams value. Cooper (seventh-round pick this year) did not take any team reps in the offseason program following a heart procedure and if he’s slow to catch up, may face a redshirt year on practice squad.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Josey Jewell, Alexander Johnson, Justin Strnad and Baron Browning.

Out: Josh Watson, Peter Kalambayi and Curtis Robinson.

Analysis: Browning is a wild-card because Fangio on Tuesday offered the possibility of cross-training him at inside and outside linebacker, which means he could force Cooper to the practice squad and allow the Broncos to keep Watson (321 special teams snaps in 2019-20). The preseason will be huge for Strnad to prove he can be a sub-package coverage option because he missed all of last year (wrist surgery). Jewell and Johnson are locked in as the base-down starters and depending on how much Fangio uses dime personnel (six defensive backs) or trusts Strand, they may not leave the field.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Pat Surtain II, Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Michael Ojemudia and Essang Bassey.

Out: Duke Dawson, Nate Hairston, Mac McCain, Parnell Motley and Kary Vincent.

Analysis: There is no doubt about the top four, it’s just a matter of who plays the most snaps between Surtain, Darby and Fuller. Using Callahan exclusively in nickel and/or dime will help him stay healthy. Last training camp, Isaac Yiadom fell down the depth chart and was flipped to the Giants. Don’t expect the same scenario to play out with Ojemudia, who has gone from starter to No. 4-5 corner in one offseason. The Broncos ran out of corners last year so they need to keep Ojemudia. Essang Bassey (torn ACL last December) may be a physically-unable-to-perform-list candidate if the training staff feels he needs more time to rehab at the start of camp. Vincent, a seventh-round rookie, can develop on the practice squad.

Safeties (5)

In: Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Jemar Johnson, Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke.

Out: Trey Marshall.

Analysis: Armed with a new contract, Simmons is back to anchor the safety group and is again joined by Jackson, who re-signed after his option was declined. The Broncos used fifth-round picks on Johnson and Sterns — one will likely replace Jackson in 2022 and both will make the team this year. An interesting roster battle is between Locke and Marshall and it might have more to do with who plays better on special teams than who is a more effective safety in camp. We’ll go with Locke.

Specialists (3)

In: Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P) and Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS).

Out: None.

Analysis: Right now, there is no competition after punter Max Duffy was waived on Thursday. McManus’ four-year contract that he signed last September kicks in this season. Martin and Bobenmoyer are in their second seasons with the Broncos.

In this edition of the First-and-Orange podcast, Denver Post sportswriters Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran assess the Broncos following the conclusion of mandatory minicamp in Dove Valley.

Where does the quarterback competition currently stand between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater? What will running back Melvin Gordon’s role be in 2021 alongside rookie Javonte Williams? Plus, more analysis.

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Could we see Von Miller return to top form this year? One oddsmaker thinks he has a decent shot.

The Broncos star linebacker missed the 2020 NFL season after suffering a severe ankle injury just before the start of year. He has +1,600 odds — meaning a $100 bet would win $1,600 — to win the comeback player of the year award, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

However, he has stiff competition. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott — who missed 11 games last season — is the favorite at +175. He’s followed by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and running backs Saquon Barkley of the Giants and former Valor Christian standout Christian McCaffrey of the Panthers, who are tied for second at +600.

Former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow also made the list at +3,300, tied at 14th among the players listed.

Here’s a look at some of the current odds in the world of sports.

+125

The odds the Vegas Golden Knights will win the Stanley Cup this year, according to sportsbetting.com. They are favored over the Lightning (+165), Islanders (+500) and Canadiens (+900).

+220

The odds the Broncos’ starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season isn’t named Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater or Brett Rypien, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Lock and Bridgewater both have +145 odds, while Rypien is listed at +1,600.

+1,600

The odds Broncos linebacker Von Miller will be named the NFL comeback player of the year next season, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. He is tied for eighth favorite. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is the favorite.

+1,800

The odds the Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team will advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament next season, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. They are tied for the 57th-best odds to reach the semifinals.

8.5

The over-under for total wins for the Broncos in the 2021 NFL regular season, according to BetMGM.

+8,000

The odds Broncos quarterback Drew Lock will be named the NFL MVP next season, according to William Hill Sportsbook. He is tied for the 25th-best odds and is the highest listed Denver player. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (+475) is the favorite, ahead of Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (+800) and Buffalo’s Josh Allen (+1,200).

The one constant during the Broncos’ offseason program was rookie linebacker Baron Browning watching instead of participating.

A third-round pick, Browning’s lower leg injury — “more of a bone thing than a ligament thing” according to coach Vic Fangio — cost him valuable learning time.

“That’s been probably the biggest negative of this offseason work, him not getting the work that he would have gotten (if healthy),” Fangio said.

Fangio said Browning will be “full go and ready to go by training camp,” next month.

“We’re still very high on him and very optimistic,” Fangio said. “Hopefully he’ll be able to carve out a role on this team both defensively and on special teams. I’m anxious to get him back working in training camp.”

After the draft, the Broncos’ Plan A was to put Browning at inside linebacker and keep him there. But …

“He has versatility,” Fangio said. “He could play some outside for us and he could play some inside. We’d like to settle him in (at) one spot, but we may not be able to, especially with the injury. We’ll see how that evolves.”

One theory could be that the Broncos are pleased enough with Justin Strnad as a sub-package inside linebacker, they could get Browning work as an edge rusher/defender to provide more depth behind Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed.

Roster moves. The Broncos signed receivers Amara Darboh and De’Mornay Pierson-El on Thursday, both of whom participated in minicamp as tryout players.

To make room on the 90-man roster, the Broncos waived outside linebacker Natrez Patrick with an injury designation and punter Max Duffy.

Darboh played 16 games for Seattle in ’17 and Pierson-El has played in the CFL, AAF and XFL, but no regular-season NFL games.

“Greek” honored. On the floor of the House of Representatives this week in Washington, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Col.) introduced a resolution to recognize Steve “Greek” Antonopulos, who retired June 7 after 45 years with the Broncos, including 36 as the head athletic trainer.

Antonopulos grew up in Hugo, which is in Buck’s congressional district.

“On behalf of the Fourth District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Mr. Antonopulos and his family. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Steve Antonopulos for his accomplishments.”

Broncos nominated. The Broncos were named a finalist for 2021 Sports Humanitarian of the Year, awarded annually by ESPN “to a sports franchise that demonstrates how teamwork can create a measurable impact on a community or cause.”

Also nominated were the Atlanta Dream (WNBA), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) and the New York City Football Club (MLS).

The Broncos were also a finalist last year. In a statement, president/CEO Joe Ellis saluted Allie Engelken, Liz Jeralds, Bobby Mestas and Katie Shuster of the team’s community development staff. Denver Broncos Charities will receive a $25,000 grant for being a finalist; the winning franchise receives a $100,000 grant.

The Broncos volunteered more than 850 hours of service, contributed more than $1 million to COVID-19 relief efforts, invested $300,000 to renovate the Broncos Boys & Girls Club and supported 35 local non-profits through donations.

To the consternation of some Broncos fans and Twitter jockeys, coach Vic Fangio called off the final practice of mandatory minicamp during a 9 a.m. team meeting Thursday, electing for a “field day” of fun-and-games activities.

A reward for what Fangio viewed as solid work during the 10 organized team activity and two minicamp workouts? Yes. He did the same thing two years ago.

Questionable for Fangio to bypass a final day of work for a team that went 5-11 last year and hasn’t declared a Week 1 starting quarterback? If that floats your boat, fine, rip him for it.

The Broncos’ rookies will continue to work with the coaches this month, but the veterans are free until the July 27 reporting date.

The media was permitted to watch five of the 12 practices. What did we learn?

1. Fangio held true to equally dividing the quarterback snaps.

If anybody within the walls of the Broncos’ facility is basing their 2021 hopes on acquiring Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, well, hope isn’t a strategy.

Until further notice — the Packers caving and making Rodgers available and the Broncos presenting an acceptable offer for him — it will be Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater against the New York Giants on Sept. 12.

Around the NFL, the Broncos and New Orleans (Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill) are the only two teams with declared quarterback competitions.

Fangio committed to his pre-OTA mandate that Lock/Bridgewater would split the snaps — they both received 59 plays (7-on-7 and 11-on-11) in the two minicamp practices.

Nothing was settled … not even close.

2. The outside linebacker/defensive line depth should be a concern.

The Broncos have three outside linebackers (Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed) and three defensive linemen (Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell and Dre’Mont Jones) with good-enough-to-count-on track records.

But after that, questions.

At outside linebacker, rookie Jonathon Cooper (heart procedure) only started individual drill work on Wednesday.

“We need to find another two guys that we’re comfortable with, both from a special teams standpoint and from a playing defense standpoint to go in and spell those (top three guys),” Fangio said. “It’s wide open and we’re looking.”

At defensive line, the top backup should be veteran Shamar Stephen, but 2020 third-round pick McTelvin Agim needs to pick it up so he can beat out veteran DeShawn Williams and/or rookie seventh-round pick Marquiss Spencer.

“I think Shamar has been a good pick-up,” Fangio said. “(Agim) has looked better and hopefully he’ll continue that. Jonathan Harris is back after a year on the shelf. DeShawn is back and we’re looking for the other guys to show us something.”

3. Pat Surtain II may be the Broncos’ best cornerback by October.

The Broncos were desperate to avoid a repeat of last year when they ran out of cornerbacks, so they signed veterans Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller in March and drafted Surtain ninth overall in April.

Darby and Fuller have the experience, but Surtain has the skills. He moved across the field effortlessly in coverage and appeared to have a good knowledge of where to be.

If Surtain performs well in training camp, Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell shouldn’t hesitate matching him against Giants receiver Kenny Golladay in the Week 1 lid-lifter.

“(Surtain) came in here with a great foundation,” Donatell said. “He’s a guy that is very calm and respectful of others and he’s just a very hard-working, serious player. He has everything that can point to success and not to mention he’s a heck of an athlete. He’s fitting in great with our guys and he’ll work to get a strong role.”

4. Javonte Williams won’t be handed the starting running back job.

Melvin Gordon skipped all of the OTAs, but there he was getting the first-team reps at running back Tuesday.

Williams, the Broncos’ second-round pick, may end up leading the team in rushes and yards, but it’s not inconceivable to think Gordon gets the first-snap nod against the Giants and Williams is gradually weaned into the top role.

“I think there’s enough work to be had for everybody if everybody proves they’re worthy,” said Fangio, adding Mike Boone to the mix. “You never have enough backs and I’m confident there will be enough work for all of them.”

5. There isn’t much reason for excitement.

Drafting quarterback Justin Fields with the ninth pick would have given the Broncos much-needed buzz. Surtain has the potential to be an All-Pro cornerback, but defensive players don’t drastically move the needle.

Unless Rodgers is acquired, this remains a third- or fourth-place team in the AFC West. Yes, the Broncos’ defense may be elite, but they will be neutralized if the offense underperforms and can’t hand them a lead.

If not Aaron Rodgers, then who?

Although coach Vic Fangio claims “97-98%” of the quarterback competition between Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock has yet to be determined, my hunch is the braintrust at Broncos headquarters has already pretty much made up its mind.

Bridgewater is going to be the starter, although I’m not sure it’s a good thing. Unless, of course, your idea of a good thing is Denver finishing with an 8-9 record.

On the list of all-time knockdown, drag-out rivalries, Teddy vs. Drew isn’t exactly Spider-Man vs. Dr. Octopus.

It’s more like Captain Underpants vs. Dogzilla.

But out here in Broncos Country, where the drama and playoff berths have been infrequent of late, we’ll take any quarterback competition we can get.

So when safety Justin Simmons stepped in front of a Lock throw at mini-camp and turned it into a pick-six on a sweltering June morning, we tend to get overheated by more than 93-degree heat. Every Dogzilla has his day, but Wednesday did not belong to Lock.

It’s a long way until the Broncos open the season in September. What are the main factors that will go into the choice between Lock and Bridgewater?

“There’s the hard data. You want to get more completions and you want less interceptions. You want to throw touchdown passes. All the hard data,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said Wednesday, before getting down to the real nitty gritty. “I’m kind of looking at it generally to when this guy is in there, are less bad things happening? When he makes a mistake, is it catastrophic, or is it something we can correct?”

Don’t know about you, but that sounded like a pretty strong hint to me.

Bridgewater seems the obvious choice if the Broncos want a game manager that won’t mess it up for a defense led by Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and the No-Fly Zone 2.0.

Nobody confuses Bridgewater with a super hero. He’s more like Captain Underpants, one guy determined to get through life without messing up anything too badly.

“When you play this game, you’re going to have your shots when you push the ball, then you’re going to have some plays where it’s conservative,” Bridgewater said. “This offseason, I’ve just been trying to complete the football by pushing the ball down the field, crossing them over the field, throwing a shallow cross and throwing it to the back out of the backfield. I’m just trying to complete the football because if I complete the ball to our guys, we have a high chance of making a big play.”

Know the yellow line digitally superimposed on the football field that represents the first-down marker on your television screen? Watching Bridgewater work, I’m convinced that yellow line might actually exist in his world, acting like a force field, preventing him from throwing a pass that travels more than 10 yards downfield.

But if the Denver defense is all that and a bag of chips, maybe the team can sneak into the playoffs with Captain Underpants under center.

Yes, all the upside is on Lock’s side. He’d be the far more entertaining choice. So as a guy that likes to munch popcorn in the press box during games, that’s how I’d vote.

But with Fangio trying to save his job, it probably makes more sense for the Denver offense to utilize two tight ends in the formation, pound the rock with Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams and trust Bridgewater to do nothing either too spectacular or too stupid.

” I don’t care who is in there, if it’s 3 (Lock) or if it’s 5 (Bridgewater),” said Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles, committed to protecting his quarterback’s blindside, no matter what number in on the QB’s uniform. “It doesn’t matter to me. Let’s just go score points and let’s be a unique offense that makes defenses in this league lose sleep at night.”

So who’s it going to be?

Teddy or Drew? Ho-hum or Oh, no?

Who’s the best choice to start at quarterback for the Broncos?

Well, he’s not currently on the roster.

Everybody, including general manager George Paton, knows Rodgers is the QB of our dreams.

In his 23rd NFL season and his ninth as a play-caller, Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is beginning a new experience: A no-doubt quarterback competition.

Shurmur had Marc Bulger and Sam Bradford in St. Louis (2009-10), Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden in Cleveland (11-12), Bradford in Minnesota (’17), Eli Manning with the New York Giants (2018-19) and Drew Lock last year with the Broncos.

When the Broncos convene for training camp next month, coach Vic Fangio’s mandate will be to give Lock and Teddy Bridgewater an even playing field to determine who starts Sept. 12 at the New York Giants.

During the second minicamp practice at the Broncos’ broiling facility on Wednesday, the work was again divided evenly — 29 snaps apiece in team work. Lock had six in 7-on-7 and 23 in 11-on-11 and Bridgewater had five and 24 snaps, respectively. Brett Rypien had two 7-on-7 plays.

On Tuesday, Lock and Bridgewater had 30 snaps apiece.

“They’re both getting better,” Shurmur said in his first media availability since Dec. 31. “Obviously, they’ve both gotten work with the 1s and shared the workload. I’ve seen improvement in Drew’s decision-making, timing and accuracy and for Teddy, it’s more about getting up to speed on what we’ve done and he’s right on-board with the things we’re doing.”

The benefit of 10 organized team activity workouts and two minicamp practices isn’t to determine who starts against the Giants, but lay the building blocks for what is coming in camp.

“This has been a very important time for all of us — we’ve gotten almost a half season’s worth of reps through the OTAs and minicamp,” Shurmur said. “I think we’ve built a really good foundation not only for the quarterbacks, but for the team going into training camp.”

The key dates for the quarterback competition: The joint practices against Minnesota and preseason games against the Vikings (Aug. 14) and Seahawks (Aug. 21). Does Lock and Bridgewater get one start apiece? Does either get more playing time in those starts to achieve a rhythm and allow Shurmur to call plays in various situations like third down, red zone, hurry-up, etc? What happens if the competition is statistically even?

Fangio was asked if he wants to name a starter before the Broncos’ third and final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 28. In theory, he could use the Seattle game to make a final determination and then start Rypien against the Rams.

“That will remain to be determined what we do with the third preseason game,” Fangio said.

Two years ago, during a five-game preseason, Fangio sat the starters for the final two games. Last year’s preseason was canceled because of the coronavirus.

“As far as the work preceding (the Rams game), it’s going to be 50-50 somehow someway,” Fangio said. “There may be days when one of them gets more work than the other, and the next day, the other guy gets more work. Some days will be 50-50, some will be 60-40. In the final analysis, they’ll be pretty (darn) even in the work and opportunities.”

Bridgewater was first up in team work on Wednesday. Rookie receiver Seth Williams dropped the first attempt and Bridgewater misfired on his second pass. The most notable of his completions were both to receiver Jerry Jeudy — a corner route in 7-on-7 and on the right side in 11-on-11 red zone work.

Williams also dropped a Lock pass and Lock was intercepted by safety Justin Simmons on a play that would have been a sack, scramble or throwaway.

The quarterbacks have taken little-to-no team snaps with receivers Courtland Sutton (knee), KJ Hamler (hamstring) and Tim Patrick (hamstring injury revealed on June 7). When camp starts, Lock and Bridgewater will have the full depth chart at their disposal.

Shurmur has familiarity with Lock and Bridgewater. He called the plays for Lock last year.

“Drew obviously has made great progress from a year ago,” he said. “Last year, he went into the season raw without having an offseason and he worked his way through it and he did a lot of good things. I think he’s built on the good things he did a year ago.”

Shurmur was the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2016-17 when Bridgewater was injured (’16) and a back-up (’17).

“He’s been in a couple different situations since the time we were together, one where he was a back-up (New Orleans) and one where he was the starter (Carolina),” Shurmur said. “He’s been able to pick things up quickly.”

After joining the Broncos on a three-year, $30 million contract, cornerback Ronald Darby has high expectations for his first season in Denver.

“We could definitely be the best (defense in the NFL), if not the top two or three defenses for sure,” Darby said after Wednesday’s minicamp practice. “We’ve got the pass rush, we’ve got guys who know what they’re doing, we have the communication aspect. And it’s still early — we’ve got a lot of time to get to know each other a lot more and become something special.”

Darby said his acclimation into a Broncos secondary that also features cornerbacks Kyle Fuller, Pat Surtain II and Bryce Callahan as well as safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson is going well.

“I’m catching onto the playbook and any questions I have, K-Jax and Simmons are back there helping me with anything I need,” Darby said.

The 27-year-old has also been among the many impressed with what the rookie Surtain has brought to the Broncos.

“I noticed that outside of his physical traits — height, long arms, he can run and make a play on the ball and that he’s a special talent — he’s also very smart,” Darby said. “He’s picking up everything very fast, and you can tell if he wants something, he’s going to understand it pretty much right away.”

Darby said a key to having the secondary perform up to its potential in 2021 is accountability and that the Broncos “can’t have finger-pointing” whenever big plays occur.

“We have to understand that mistakes are going to happen, and we have to have a short memory and play fast,” Darby said.

Attendance report. Not spotted, doing side-field work or watching practice, were receiver KJ Hamler (hamstring), cornerback Duke Dawson (knee), safety Trey Marshall, running back Damarea Crockett, tight end Eric Saubert, defensive end Shelby Harris (skin procedure), nose tackle Mike Purcell (foot), right tackles Bobby Massie (pectoral) and Calvin Anderson, inside linebackers Josh Watson, Baron Browning (lower leg) and outside linebackers Bradley Chubb (ankle) and Natrez Patrick.

Footnotes. Guard Austin Schlotmann and nose tackle McTelvin Agim had to be separated by center Lloyd Cushenberry after exchanging words during team work. … It was a tough day for rookie receiver Seth Williams, who dropped passes from quarterbacks Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater.