The Denver Broncos discovered unexpected depth at kicker during Saturday’s training camp session when safety Brandon Jones filled in for Wil Lutz, the lone specialist on the team’s 90-man roster.
Lutz missed practice to attend former teammate Drew Brees’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, creating an opportunity for Jones to showcase a skill set that began as a joke with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.
“I didn’t kick in high school or college, I just have some history in playing soccer,” Jones said after going 3-for-4 on field goal attempts, with his longest make covering 41 yards. “I don’t know how I even got to kick. I think I just was joking with Riz like, ‘Yo, I can kick if you ever need an emergency-kicker-type of situation.’ Then he called my bluff and put me to the test one day, I think it was some time last year, and I made an extra point.”
Jones, who played club soccer before focusing on football in high school, said he once connected from 50 yards while working with Lutz. His performance drew chants from fans in attendance, a moment he described as a thrill despite his reservations about handling high-pressure situations.
“If we’re winning by a lot, no big deal. Hopefully, I don’t think it would ever come down to a game-time thing where I would need to make it to win,” Jones said. “If it comes down to that, just pray for me, that’s all I can say.”
The 2023 third-round draft pick acknowledged he lacks the talent for Major League Soccer but expressed interest in pursuing a tryout after his NFL career concludes. “Played some club soccer, stopped in high school because I was like, ‘Let’s be real, I’m a football player,'” he said.
Saturday’s session demonstrated that the Broncos possess a viable emergency option at a position where roster flexibility is often limited. While Lutz remains the undisputed starter, Jones’ ability to convert kicks in a live practice setting provides Denver with a rare contingency plan should injury or illness strike the primary kicker during the season.
The development also highlights the value of cross-sport athleticism in modern NFL roster construction, where positional versatility can create unexpected advantages.
