SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jarrett Stidham threw two TD passes following a lackluster performance from Bo Nix and Denver's starters, and the Broncos beat the San Francisco 49ers 30-9 in the preseason opener Saturday night.
The teams approached the game very differently following a joint practice on Thursday when top players from both teams got plenty of work. San Francisco played only a handful of starters in the game, while Denver played most of its front-line players for at least a few series.
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. (5) celebrates after a touchdown catch during the first half of a preseason NFL football game San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
Denver Broncos tight end Lucas Krull (85) celebrates his touchdown catch with quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
“The importance of coming off of a three-, four-day trip like this and a lot of plays is the debrief, getting back home and cleaning things up," Broncos coach Sean Payton said. "There were a number of things that we’re going to have to improve on."
Nix and the offense had three possessions with the first ending in a punt, the second a safety following an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone and then a field goal on a drive that started in San Francisco territory.
The Broncos' first-team offense managed 56 yards on 18 plays with Nix going 6 for 11 for 31 yards in his first game action in his second season.
Nix threw 29 TD passes as a rookie to help Denver make the postseason for the first time since 2015 and Payton is counting on an even bigger performance this season as the Broncos look to contend in the tough AFC.
Denver's starting defense also wasn't sharp, allowing a 50-yard pass from Mac Jones to rookie Jordan Watkins on the first drive that set up a 5-yard TD run by Patrick Taylor.
Edge rusher Nik Bonitto shined on the next drive with two sacks and a pressure to force a punt.
“I thought we started slow — both first units,” said Payton, who called the performance “average to below average.”
Stidham made the most of his opportunity, taking advantage of a coverage bust to throw a 5-yard TD pass to Lucas Krull and then connecting on a 36-yarder to Trent Sherfield to make it 20-9 at the half.
Jones went 4 for 7 for 74 yards in his first action with San Francisco as Brock Purdy's new backup, but also threw an interception on his final pass to end his third drive.
Carter Bradley and Tanner Mordecai struggled to move the ball for the Niners after they took over starting in the second quarter.
“It was frustrating," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I liked how we started out, but after that there wasn’t much to be excited about. We didn’t get many first downs, four turnovers, the three picks, the fumble. ... We made too many mistakes.”
San Francisco backup running back Ameer Abdullah left in the third quarter after injuring his ribs on a play when he lost a fumble. Rookie safety Marques Sigle left with a bruised knee.
Shanahan also said that rookie CB Upton Stout missed the game with tightness in his calf and safety Richie Grant will be out about a week with a knee injury.
First-round defensive end Mykel Williams also will miss about a week after hyperextending his knee in practice Thursday.
Payton said DE Matt Henningsen tore his Achilles tendon Thursday and will undergo season-ending surgery.
Broncos: Hold a a joint practice with Arizona before hosting the Cardinals next Saturday.
49ers: Hold a joint practice at Las Vegas before visiting the Raiders next Saturday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Denver Broncos wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. (5) celebrates after a touchdown catch during the first half of a preseason NFL football game San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
Denver Broncos tight end Lucas Krull (85) celebrates his touchdown catch with quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.
Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.
There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.
Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.
“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”
The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.
No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.
“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”
Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.
Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.
Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.
Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.
“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.
Brown is likely staying put.
While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.
Just not this season.
Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.
“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”
Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.
“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.
Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
