Randy Gregory has more to give. He doesn’t need to be reminded of that.
The 30-year-old edge rusher knows he has never played a full season in his career and that a knee injury limited him to six games in 2022 after the Broncos gave him a five-year, $70 million contract.
For Gregory to make good on Denver’s investment, he must win the battle within. Yes, Gregory’s physical health is essential to staying on the field and being the electrifying pass rusher who’s impressed teammates and head coach Sean Payton. But he knows the mental aspect will allow him to handle the ups and downs of an NFL season.
Entering Year 2 in the Mile High City, Gregory believes he is in the right headspace to help a formidable defense reach another level.
“Everyone is tied up on the physical, (but) the biggest thing for me this offseason was getting the mental (aspect) down,” Gregory said. “Being able to fight those little mental battles. You are going to have bad plays, (so) put them behind you and move on.”
Gregory is big on comfort. Yet he had to get uncomfortable before he could secure generational wealth. He played five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, then left the franchise he’d established himself with to take a big-money deal in a new city with new teammates and coaches. But money doesn’t solve everything.
Gregory’s lack of familiarity with Denver, his knee injury and the Broncos’ train-wreck-of-a-season made last year difficult for the former Nebraska defensive end. His frustrations eventually bubbled over in the Christmas Day loss at Los Angeles when he punched a Rams offensive lineman during postgame handshakes. Gregory didn’t see the field the rest of the season.
With new coaches fostering a new outlook, Gregory is ready to put that behind him.
“I think a lot of people put (mental health) to the side, and I tend to do it sometimes, too,” he said. “It’s nice to have that in check and focus on football.”
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph made an eye-popping statement in training camp, declaring this year’s group of outside linebackers the best he’s had in a long time. Those are strong words, considering he was Denver’s head coach when Bradley Chubb and future Hall of Famer Von Miller combined for 26 ½ sacks in 2018. Miller had 14 ½ while Chubb totaled 12 as the last pair of Broncos to have double-digit sack totals in the same season.
The chances of Gregory and outside linebacker Frank Clark, whom the team signed in June, replicating those numbers are a longshot. Gregory has never recorded more than 10 sacks in an NFL season, while Clark hasn’t reached that number since 2018. Still, they could match Miller and Chubb’s 2018 impact by making big plays in other areas as well, most notably against the run.
That’s an aspect of Gregory’s game that he takes pride in — and one he’s flashed during training camp.
“People look at my frame and assume I’m just a pass-rusher and don’t play the run well,” Gregory said. “I’ve learned that playing (against) the run (game) is more about will. I want to be known for helping out in the run game, but in the passing game, too.”
Payton will count on Gregory being a pressure player for the Broncos, as he likes his length and experience. But, obviously, that can’t happen unless Gregory stays healthy and on the field.
Gregory has taken steps in the right direction, practicing nearly every day at training camp, except for the occasional off days given to players who dealt with serious injuries last season.
“Randy is an elite rusher,” Joseph said. “His best days are ahead of him, hopefully.”
There is little doubt Gregory is one of the Broncos’ most talented defensive players whenever he suits up. He has tremendous speed and a relentless approach to going after quarterbacks. In the words of outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, his teammate is a “freak of nature.”
Cooper, a third-year pro, believes Gregory’s presence has made him a better player. Since last season, Cooper has learned from the veteran pass-rusher, picking his brain and studying how he moves on the field.
Defensive end Zach Allen also has leaned on Gregory and Clark for tips. He called Gregory a high-motor player with all the athletic ability in the world.
“How can someone that big be that quick and strong?” Cooper asked about Gregory, who is 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. “He’s super strong. He’s super fast. When he really wants to get after you, I don’t think there’s anybody who can beat him.”
Gregory is more motivated now than ever to prove his worth. He has embraced Payton’s playoff-or-bust bravado and thinks the team can meet those standards. At the same time, he understands part of the success will come down to him playing consistently.
After an offseason of mental recovery, Gregory is ready to do that.
“I feel like if I’m out there for 17 games, I will do what I need to do,” Gregory said. “That’s the plan.”
Missing in action
The biggest issue with Randy Gregory’s production during his pro career is an obvious one: lack of availability. The veteran edge rusher has played more than 12 games in a season just once, and played in just six with the Broncos last fall. Here’s a look at his numbers:
| Year | Team | Games Played | Tackles | Tackles for loss | Sacks | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Cowboys | 12 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 | Cowboys | 2 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2017 | Cowboys | Suspended entire season for violating NFL’s substance abuse policy. | ||||
| 2018 | Cowboys | 14 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 15 |
| 2019 | Cowboys | Suspended entire season for violating NFL’s substance abuse policy. | ||||
| 2020 | Cowboys | 10 | 21 | 4 | 3.5 | 12 |
| 2021 | Cowboys | 12 | 19 | 4 | 6 | 17 |
| 2022 | Broncos | 6 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
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