DENVER -- Kirk Cousins is coming to Denver after all. The quarterback, who Denver initially targeted in free agency, will start for the Vikings at soon-to-be-renamed Mile High Stadium to lead off the preseason in Week 1.
As exhibition openers go, this brings intrigue. Cousins, the Hope Diamond of the free agent class, makes his Minnesota debut opposite of Broncos new starter Case Keenum. And when the starters leave, former Broncos starter Trevor Siemian will man the Vikings offense.
The Broncos remain in the Mile High City as they face the Chicago Bears for Week 2. The Broncos topped Chicago 24-17 during Week 1 of the 2017 preseason as their quarterback competition simmered. No American Idol-type competition will be featured this summer.
Denver follows with its first road game, heading to Washington. The Broncos will see a familiar face in Week 3 with Alex Smith operating as Washington's new quarterback, replacing Cousins. Smith gave the Broncos fits the past two seasons as Kansas City's starter. Week 3 is viewed as the "final dress rehearsal" before the regular season begins.
The Broncos finish the preseason on Aug. 30 at Arizona. This will be followed by final cuts. The NFL is expected to release the regular season schedule late next week.
These are the tentative date ranges for the games. The final dates will be set at a later time.
- Week 1: vs. Minnesota (Aug. 9-12)
- Week 2: vs. Chicago (Aug. 16-19)
- Week 3: at Washington (Aug. 23-26)
- Week 4: at Arizona (Aug. 30)
