ENGLEWOOD — Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said there’s a “standard” with his unit and it wasn’t met against Green Bay.

The Broncos were walloped 33-13 by the Packers in their second preseason game Friday at Empower Field. Discouraging for Joseph was Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love leading a 12-play, 63-yard drive on the first series that culminated with an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back MarShawn Lloyd. Love then took the rest of the night off.

“Our approach in my opinion was unengaged and a little bit lazy,” Joseph said after Tuesday’s practice at Broncos Park about his first-team defense to start the game. “It wasn’t the right approach. So I felt that.”

Joseph called that the “first lesson” his defenders needed to learn coming off the defeat. He said the “second” involves how it appears opposing offenses plan to play against Denver this season.

The Broncos last season ranked No. 2 in the NFL in total defense. They had 68 sacks, and defensive linemen Zach Allen and D.J. Jones both have talked about the desire to break Chicago’s 1984 NFL record of 72 sacks in a season.

“I think two games that we have played (in the preseason), we’ve seen how offenses see us,’’ said Joseph, also referring to Denver’s 27-7 win at Atlanta in the Aug. 14 preseason opener. “Lots of boots. Lots of misdirections. Outside runs more often than not. Pass-protection passes. Quick game. Teams don’t want to lose first down because if they do lose first down, our rush kind of comes alive so I think that game (last Friday) was an example of what is coming in the future.”

Joseph said teams are “trying to get 4 yards” on first down to offset the Broncos’ pass rush.

“Second down is where we made our hay as far as the pass rush,” said Joseph, whose Broncos close the preseason at home Friday against Minnesota. “I think teams understand that.”

As for Denver defenders being not being as up for the game as Joseph expected, he said he kind of “felt it” before the kickoff and was “disappointed in how we came out” against the Packers.

“It’s a standard and I want to see that all times,” Joseph said of the Broncos playing at a high level on defense.

Broncos sign Stone, cut Butler

The Broncos on Tuesday traded one former United Football League player for another.

The Broncos waived wide receiver Hakeem Butler, a two-time UFL Offensive Player of the Year who didn’t show much in training camp and the two preseason games. To take his place on the roster, they signed outside linebacker Ron Stone Jr., the son of former NFL star guard Ron Stone Sr.

Stone Jr. had four sacks for the Michigan Panthers in 2025 and 5.5 for the Columbus Aviators in 2026. He practiced Tuesday after he had a Denver workout along with Tony Anyanwu, a rookie linebacker from Rice.

“(Stone Jr. is) smart,” Joseph said. “He’s tough. … He practiced (Tuesday) and made some plays. I was surprised. … He’ll play a bunch on Friday, so we’ll see where he’s at.”

Stone’s father played in the NFL from 1993-2005 with Dallas, the New York Giants, San Francisco and the Oakland Raiders. He made three Pro Bowls, was a two-time All-Pro selection and won two Super Bowl rings with the Cowboys. He is the father-in-law of Love, so it would have been interesting had his son been signed before last Friday’s game.

“(Stone Sr.) was a great player,” Joseph said.

Webb happy with Nix

Broncos offensive coordinator Davis Webb was pleased with how quarterback Bo Nix looked in his first game action since suffering a broken right ankle in a playoff game in January against Buffalo.

“I thought he did a really good job,” Webb said of Nix completing 6 of 9 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay. “He was really efficient, a good communicator in the huddle in and out, was accurate with the football.”

Webb also liked how wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a 35-yard catch from Nix on the Broncos’ first drive.

“I’m glad he got an explosive,” Webb said. “I’m glad he got a touch early on the first drive. That was definitely the goal heading into the game.”

Webb spoke of Waddle’s versatility, saying, “He’s going to play everything but O-line. He’ll move around.”

Webb was much less enthralled with Denver’s running attack. After rushing for 162 yards against the Falcons, the Broncos had just 70 against the Packers.

“We just got into really bad situations down and distance-wise,” said the first-year coordinator. “That was good for me to learn from as a play-caller for upcoming weeks, and I’m sure our offensive line and runners will get it going this week.”

Briefly

Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi continues to be pleased with rookie returners Kolbe Katsis, Cam Ross and Sean Fresch Jr. He said Katsis, who had a 40-yard kickoff return and a 17-yard punt return, had “two really good ones” against Green Bay. Rizzi said the Broncos “lacked a little bit” of “depth” last year behind kickoff and punt returner Marvin Mims Jr., and he expects them to have more options this season whether it is on the 53-man roster or practice squad. … Sitting out practice Tuesday and working on a side field were cornerback Riley Moss, linebacker Drew Sanders, center Alex Forsyth and tight end Caleb Lohner. They were joined midway through the workout by running back RJ Harvey and safety Tycen Anderson. Also not practicing were tackle Frank Crum and safety Taylor Rapp. … Rapp was signed last Thursday and went through his first practice Monday. “He’s smart,” Joseph said of the seven-year veteran. “He can make plays on the ball. He can cover. He can blitz. He’s tough.”