ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The players get their first game-day chance to make a case for roster decisions the Denver Broncos will soon make, most notably at quarterback.
"They've been working all offseason and the last 14, 13 days, whatever it's been, for a chance to play," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. "I want them to relax and play. The mistakes belong to me and the coaches. I want them to go play free and enjoy playing. That's what they've been working for. ... We're tired of each other. Coaches are tired of each other. Players are tired of each other. ... 'We've been going at each other for a long time. Now it's time to go with each other.' This is the fun. It's why you work. We're looking forward to it."
The Broncos open their preseason Thursday night against the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field with the talent worthy of a defending Super Bowl champion, but with questions as well.
Some items to keep in mind Thursday night:
Watch the quarterbacks: Thursday's game won't decide the issue -- not by a longshot -- but it will the opening chance for Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian to show they can keep the pace on offense Kubiak wants, show command of the playbook and finish drives. Both will get about a quarter of work while rookie Paxton Lynch will play the second half.
Watch the quarterbacks some more: Sanchez will get the only work with the Broncos starters -- they'll be long gone by the time Siemian moves in behind center -- but the two quarterbacks, because of the rotations in practice, have worked with the variety of lineups around them. Kubiak wants to see one of them step forward and lead, to be the leader as he keeps the offense on track.
Questions up front: The Broncos won't show their starting offensive line as Russell Okung will be held out and guard Ty Sambrailo will not play because of a right elbow injury. But they need to start finding out who can play guard. Darrion Weems, a tackle the Broncos signed in the offseason, will start at one of the guard spots as Michael Schofield will start in Okung's left tackle spot. But Max Garcia, who has worked as the starting left guard, and rookie Connor McGovern will get a look as well.
In search of happy returns: Undrafted rookie Kalif Raymond will get first crack at punt and kickoff returner. Raymond will get most of the returns, but the Broncos may use another undrafted rookie as well in Bralon Addison. Raymond has shown enough potential at wide receiver to have piqued the interest of the coaches, and if he can handle the ball well and find some creases in the return game, he could be the undrafted rookie that makes the team.
Watch the crowds: The depth chart is crowded at running back, wide receiver and defensive line. Keep an eye on the order players come into the game and see who makes the most of his time. Ronnie Hillman, in particular, is fighting for a spot in the backfield a season after being the team's leading rusher. He doesn't play special teams and Devontae Booker, Juwan Thompson and Kapri Bibbs have consistently run the ball well in practice.
Check the defensive depth. Linebacker Von Miller, linebacker DeMarcus Ware and cornerback Aqib Talib won't play in the game -- that's three Pro Bowl players -- but Shaquil Barrett, Shane Ray and Bradley Roby will. They'll get a chance to show they can keep the league's No. 1 defense rolling. Roby, with two interceptions returns for touchdowns in practices this week, has had a training camp worthy of a starter thus far.