Broncos legend Karl Mecklenburg impressed with Johan Elliss' preseason debut against Colts (2024)

ENGLEWOOD – When former star linebacker Karl Mecklenburg was watching Jonah Elliss’ preseason debut last Sunday, his mind drifted back to when he first suited up for the Broncos.

That was in 1983, when the rookie had two sacks and a forced fumble in his first preseason game against Seattle. Elliss, a rookie outside linebacker from Utah, had a sack and a quarterback pressure and some other key plays in Denver’s 34-30 win at Indianapolis.

“He flashed,’’ Mecklenburg said Wednesday. “He made plays. He was all around the ball. My first preseason game, I was Defensive Player of the Game and basically made the team. My mind did flash back to that.”

One big difference is Mecklenburg in 1983 was a 12th-round draft pick and wasn’t initially expected to make the team. Elliss was a third-round selection by Denver in the April draft and had a roster spot locked up before he stepped on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Still, Mecklenburg said it was important what Elliss showed against the Colts.

“He’s somebody that the coaches are talking about now,’’ said Mecklenburg, who made six Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro three times while playing for the Broncos from 1983-94.

Indeed the coaches are talking about Elliss after his debut.

“Listen, there’s good tape with him,’’ said Broncos coach Sean Payton.

Elliss wasted no time in asserting himself. On the opening kickoff, he and cornerback Tremon Smith tackled Colts cornerback Dallis Flowers at the Indianapolis 23 after a 26-yard return.

Late in the first half, Elliss put pressure on Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who threw a pass intercepted by cornerback Keidron Smith. Elliss then joined Smith in celebrating.

In the third quarter, Elliss had the first of Denver’s two sacks in the game. Elliss, who finished with two tackles and the special teams tackle in 22 snaps on defense and 14 on special teams, chased down Colts quarterback Kedon Slovis on the sideline and brought him down for no gain.

“It was unbelievable,’’ Elliss said after Wednesday’s training camp practice at Broncos Park about his debut. “That’s like the moment kids dream of, playing your first game in the NFL. It’s truly like amazing being out there. It was just fun playing with the guys.”

Elliss talked to his father after the game and received congratulations. Luther Elliss, a native of Mancos, was an NFL defensive tackle with Detroit from 1995-2003, making two Pro Bowls, and then finished his career with the Broncos in 2004.

“He said I did a great job,’’ Elliss said. “He was proud of me.”

When Elliss takes the field in the regular season, there will be a second father-son combination in Broncos history. The only father and son so far to have both played in the regular season for the team were linebacker Tom Graham, from 1972-74, and tight end Daniel Graham, from 2007-10.

“It’s awesome,’’ Elliss said. “To know that my dad did such amazing things, and then to follow in his footsteps and hopefully start walking my own path and doing my own thing is awesome.”

While Elliss works to set himself apart, he will do so with some moves learned from his father and his three brothers. Kaden plays for Atlanta, Christian for New England and Noah is a free agent who spent the past two seasons with Philadelphia.

“I think it comes from honestly just being around my brothers, my dad, seeing their motor and kind of like watching and learning from them,’’ Elliss said of where his seemingly non-stop motor comes from.

Mecklenburg said it’s “go, go, go” the way Elliss plays. He was impressed with the pressure he put on Ehlinger that led to the interception.

“He got great pressure and the quarterback threw it up for grabs,’’ Mecklenburg said.

Despite his strong preseason start, Elliss, barring injuries, might not play a lot as a rookie from scrimmage. The Broncos have a trio of young outside linebackers who regularly rotate in games in Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning and Nik Bonitto.

Elliss is well aware he might need to carve out his niche elsewhere.

“Special teams is how I see I’m going to earn a spot on this team,’’ he said. “That’s where it first starts. … Wherever (Payton) sees me fit is where I’ll be, so right now I’m really trying to focus on special teams, making plays on special teams, doing the job on special teams so they trust me. … I’m trying to earn that trust.”

Elliss against the Colts earned trust on both special teams and defense.

“After seeing him play, I’m amazed he lasted until the third round,’’ Mecklenburg said.

Of course, how Mecklenburg lasted until the 12th round 41 years ago is another story.