Broncos ILB Jonas Griffith makes great play on Wilson, hungry for more

When the Denver Broncos didn’t make a big offseason move for inside linebacker help, it turned some heads.

Free agency came and went. The NFL Draft came and went. And it was clear GM George Paton was comfortable rolling with Josey Jewell and Jonas Griffith to start at those two spots.

Jewell is a name Broncos fans know. He was a John Elway draft selection, has been here for awhile and played plenty of game in the orange and blue.

But Griffith was more curious. The Broncos traded for him from the 49ers in August of 2021 and he played 13 games a season ago, making four starts. He registered 46 tackles, but didn’t pop with a signature moment. Still, Paton saw enough to deem him a starter entering 2022.

And on Thursday at Broncos training camp, Griffith made one of the biggest plays of camp. In 11-on-11 drills he dropped back in coverage and nearly intercepted QB Russell Wilson, batting the ball and having it go just off his fingertips. Griffith got a big ovation from the crowd, and spoke about the moment after practice.

“I think if I would’ve caught that, I would’ve had to send it to my mom,” Griffith said with a laugh. “I probably would’ve went over to the fans and started dapping them up and giving everyone high-fives and stuff.”

Still, even though he didn’t come up with the interception, it was a memorable moment. Wilson then rebounded with a long TD drive, but not before Griffith got him first. He hopes it’s a sign of things to come.

“I don’t just want to be here and be a body. I want to be playing and a guy they can depend on to make that play,” Griffith said.

Depend on Griffith the Broncos will indeed. There were rumors they flirted with signing four-time Pro Bowler Anthony Barr on Wednesday, but he ended up with the Cowboys.

It’s Jonas Griffith’s time to shine. Now he just has to make plays like that against guys not named Russell Wilson in the regular season.

Broncos ILB Jonas Griffith nearly had an interception off Russell Wilson today, and spoke about it after practice. “I don’t want to be just a body. I want to make plays.” Love that attitude. #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/AwoBIPcJPJ

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) August 4, 2022

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