Rookies Chubb, Sutton, Kelly truly steal show

The Broncos’ starting offense opened with a three-and-out Saturday night against Chicago. The hero Denver needed to spark the scoreboard? He happened to play defense.

Broncos’ rookie outside linebacker Bradley Chubb’s first-quarter blitz went unblocked, the Bears’ shotgun snap slipped through quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s grasp, the football bounced into the end zone and Chubb’s safety stop became the first points scored this preseason with Denver starters on the field.

Quite the shock. Not surprising, though, was the trend it inspired at Mile High. Because on a night where all eyes focused on Denver’s first-team offense and its production, the class of 2018 Broncos’ rookies stole the show.

Denver’s first touchdown drive, facing a critical third-and-six early in the second quarter, would have instead ended with a punt had rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton’s towering advantage not led to a defensive pass interference call in the red zone. One play later, rookie tailback Royce Freeman rushed in for the touchdown — his second in two preseason games — as he took another step closer to securing the starting role.

The Broncos turned to backup quarterback Chad Kelly in the second quarter, leading 13-7, and he quickly found Sutton on a 16-yard touchdown strike. Fellow rookie wide receiver Daesean Hamilton also hauled in an 18-yard catch. Chubb led all defensive players with four tackles in the first half.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys that we’re going to lean on this year, so they’re going to have to grow up fast,” said John Elway, Broncos general manager and president of football operations, on the final day of training camp last week. “I think they’re all off to a great start, but we’ve got to continue to see them getting better, and also knowing that with each step and being young, we’re going to have to be patient with them too. It’s a growing situation.”

There were plenty of learning moments Saturday for Broncos’ rookies, too. First-year cornerback Isaac Yiadom’s pass interference penalty on third down kept Chicago’s lone first-half touchdown drive alive. Yiadom also received a 15yard penalty for lowering his helmet to initiate contact. Later, then the officials nabbed Chubb with a third-quarter roughing-the-passer call, and he was flagged for being offside shortly after.

The development curve for Broncos’ rookies will continue well into the regular season with expected speed bumps along the way.

However, Saturday’s performance shows the Broncos’ future starts now.