How Jonas Griffith almost put an exclamation point on a hot start to camp

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For the first time in training camp, the Broncos’ offense won practice on Thursday… but the defense almost prevailed again.

The deciding moment was when Russell Wilson capped off a two-minute drill at the end of practice with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Trey Quinn. A few plays earlier, Jonas Griffith had his chance to change the story.

“I could’ve ended practice right there but I didn’t capitalize on my opportunity,” Griffith said.

Before the offense hit midfield, Jonas Griffith was in coverage downfield against a seam route. He jumped, got both hands on the ball and should have caught it. He didn’t. It was a great play just to get into position and he was able to force a 3rd & 10, but there was more on the table.

“I just dropped it,” Griffith said. “I was excited. I was ready to end practice and I just dropped it. I was thinking about taking the knee before I caught the ball.”

Not only would the interception have ended practice and solidified a fifth-consecutive win for the defense—we aren’t picking a winner in the three “jog-through” practices—Griffith also would have put an exclamation point on the hot start to his third NFL season.

Entering camp, almost all of the starting defensive lineup was set in stone; maybe one spot in the secondary was up for grabs, and maybe a defensive line spot was there for the taking, but the one true competition seemed to be for the second starting linebacker spot next to Josey Jewell.

Griffith was the 25-year-old former undrafted free agent out of FCS Indiana State, who had freaky athletic tools and a 6-foot-4 frame but had only played football since his senior year of high school and, at times, it showed.

Alex Singleton was the 28-year-old grinder out of FCS Montana State who cut his teeth in the CFL before catching on with the Philadelphia Eagles. He posted at least 120 tackles in each of the last two seasons and finished 11th in the NFL in tackles last year, despite only starting eight games.

Both players had a strong case. But Griffith seems to have a strong hold on the starting job now.

Before coming to Denver, Griffith had never been on a regular-season roster before. Obviously, he’d never practiced as the starter in training camp either.

“That opportunity to just fly around with the ones, man, it’s amazing. Everything I wanted and more,” Griffith. “Don’t mess up. Just fly around and make a play. Don’t give them a reason to put you with the twos.”

As long as he sticks with the ones, he probably won’t be playing much on special teams where Griffith has been one of the Broncos’ key contributors. When asked about losing Griffith, special teams coordinator made it clear he wasn’t happy.

“Do you want me to be sad going back to my office?” Stukes responded. “I’m disappointed by that. I’m happy for the kid. The kid works his but off. I’m happy and pleased for the kid but, selfishly, I would love for him to be on all four phases (of special teams).”

Stukes may still have a chance to keep Griffith. The starting linebacker job isn’t quite locked up and there’s an outside chance the Broncos will add a veteran linebacker to the current group, especially after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Broncos were deep in the mix for Anthony Barr, who joined the Cowboys Monday.

The interception on Thursday may have locked Griffith into starting job, assuming the roster stays as it is.

“I think if I would’ve caught that, I would’ve had to send it to my mom,” he said. “I probably would’ve went over to the fans and just started dapping everybody up—giving them high fives and stuff.”