If Randy Gregory’s game is anywhere near his self-awareness, then maybe the Broncos will have something in their dangerous-but-injury-prone outside linebacker.
Gregory, whose first year with the Broncos was derailed by a knee injury and his own temperament, said Thursday afternoon that the onus is on him to live up to the $70 million contract he signed with the Broncos in March 2022, which included $28 million guaranteed.
“(Living up to expectations has) always been big for me,” Gregory said. “My thing is fulfilling my end of the agreement, and a big part of that is being able to be available and be healthy.”
Gregory played in just six games last season owing to arthroscopic knee surgery — though when healthy, he was one of their most impactful defensive players. Perhaps it was that same urge to validate his contract that compelled him to return midway through December, before a horrific showing in Los Angeles against the Rams.
In Denver’s ugly 51-14 loss, Gregory slammed his helmet and threw a postgame punch at a Rams offensive lineman. That effectively ended Gregory’s season, and he watched Denver’s final two games from the bench.
Speaking in general terms, Gregory acknowledged how frustrating it’s been to lose most of last season (and two others due to suspension).
“It (stinks) because you go in with an idea of what the dream is going to be like and you have hiccups, and I think the big thing for me is I’ve been able to pick myself up and keep going,” Gregory said.
Given his physical struggles, Gregory’s offseason work entailed protecting his surgically repaired knee for the grind of a full season.
“Just being able to make sure my legs are strong enough to withstand the year and at the same time have the right weight, right mass, right strength, things like that,” he said. “I think I’ve done a good job of that. Still have my explosiveness and everything like that.”
But with a relatively healthy offseason, Gregory said his focus was far more on the mental side of the game, like moving on from a missed assignment or not dwelling on an imperfect read.
He described that psychological factor as a “constant battle,” and one he’s constantly working to improve.
Within Denver’s defense, Gregory’s even started approaching his play a bit differently in new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s system.
“I know me and a lot of guys included have taken a step and we really understand the ‘why,’” he said. “I’m in coverage, but I have help here and why, and why are we in this type of coverage on this specific down and distance and things like that.”
Outside of a visit to the 49ers this weekend, one of the first tests of Gregory’s revamped approach will come next week when the Los Angeles Rams visit for joint practices.
Gregory understood the implications of the question considering his fight in Los Angeles and a spirited joint practice he had against Dallas, his former team, last training camp.
“I mean, you get another team out there, it’s fun,” he said. “The adrenaline gets going … and you get another opponent, (it) almost feels like a game. So juices get flying a little bit.”
And as for the fireworks, Gregory said he knew he needed to be better.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen this year,” he said.
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