Sean Payton Reveals Broncos' Starters Will Play in Preseason Opener

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Douglas Santo | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 11:43 AM ET

The Denver Broncos will open their preseason later this week when they take on the San Francisco 49ers, and head coach Sean Payton made it clear after Monday's practice that the starters will be on the field for the Broncos.

Usually, starters get a series or two in preseason games and sometimes play the first half. However, that usually comes in the second or third week of preseason. Payton said the starter will be out there for the Broncos' first preseason game on Saturday.

"There's this feeling that, 'Oh if I practice them a bunch, then I'm not gonna to play them in a game.' We're playing guys in the game," Payton said (h/t Broncos Wire).

The starters and top players will play in the Saturday night preseason game at San Francisco against the 49ers

Sean Payton has always played his starters in the preseason and that trend continues again this year pic.twitter.com/zrOTuU4MrD
— SleeperBroncos (@SleeperBroncos) August 4, 2025

Payton has never shied away from playing his starters in the preseason, and it's not stopping now. The Broncos will also have a joint practice with the 49ers on Thursday before the game on Saturday.

The trip to San Francisco will be a special one for two Broncos players. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga signed with the Broncos this offseason after starting their careers with the 49ers.

Greenlaw has been battling an injury and likely won't suit up for the game on Saturday, but he will travel with the team. Hufanga should get to play against his former team with the starters; it’ll just be a matter of how long Payton keeps the first unit on the field.

As for quarterback Bo Nix, last preseason was his opportunity to secure the starting role and display his talents at the NFL level. Now, he'll play in the preseason once again, but this time as the leader of Denver’s offense, and likely won't stay in for as long.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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