Ja’Quan McMillian isn’t just fighting for a starting spot in the Denver Broncos’ secondary—he’s fighting for respect. The 2025 training camp has become ground zero for one of the most intense positional battles in the AFC West, pitting McMillian against rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron, a highly touted prospect out of Texas. And if there’s one thing made clear throughout camp so far, it’s this: McMillian isn’t backing down.
The 24-year-old cornerback out of East Carolina has taken a bumpy road to prominence. An undrafted free agent in 2022, McMillian’s story is not unlike many underdog narratives in NFL lore. But unlike many who flash briefly and fade, he’s carved out staying power. Last season, he solidified himself as one of the league’s most versatile nickel defenders, earning praise for his quick instincts, scrappy tackling, and nose for the football. However, with the Broncos bringing in Barron—a player known for his elite quickness, coverage range, and college production—the heat’s been turned up a notch.
McMillian isn’t just embracing the smoke. He’s blowing it right back.
Whether it’s the one-on-one drills or full-team scrimmages, McMillian has made sure his voice is heard, his presence felt, and his role defined. Barron may be the shiny new toy on defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s depth chart, but McMillian is proving that experience, grit, and film study are still irreplaceable assets in the NFL. One team insider even noted, “McMillian is playing like he’s insulted the Broncos drafted someone to compete with him—and that’s exactly what you want from a competitor.”
For McMillian, it’s not personal. It’s business. But business is booming.
Multiple times throughout camp, McMillian has stepped in front of Barron to bat down balls, disrupt timing routes, and finish reps with a subtle message: “Not yet, rookie.” In team drills, his footwork has looked crisper than ever, and his ability to recognize offensive tendencies has left coaches impressed. “His film study has reached another level,” said Joseph. “He’s not just reacting anymore. He’s anticipating. That’s when you know a player’s dialed in.”
Still, it hasn’t been a lopsided affair. Barron, the fourth-round rookie, has shown flashes of why the Broncos invested in him. His quick-twitch reactions and sticky man coverage have made him a consistent presence around the ball. On one occasion, he picked off veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham on a seam route intended for the tight end and took it the other way for a would-be pick-six. The crowd roared, but McMillian didn’t flinch. Instead, he clapped his hands and lined up for the next rep.
“That’s what we want,” McMillian said afterward. “If you ain’t iron, you’re gonna get melted in this league. I want him at his best, because I’m gonna bring mine every single snap.”
The Broncos’ coaching staff has found themselves with a good problem. The competition between McMillian and Barron is pushing both players to new levels, and that only benefits a secondary that struggled in consistency last season. Patrick Surtain II remains the undisputed CB1, but the battle for the nickel and boundary corner spots behind him is fierce, and neither McMillian nor Barron has blinked.
But this battle is more than just about depth chart positioning—it’s about identity. The Broncos’ defense has long been known for its physicality and attitude, and this cornerback clash embodies that ethos. McMillian, with his chip-on-the-shoulder edge, and Barron, with his rookie hunger, have turned their reps into warzones of competitiveness.
Even veterans on the roster are noticing. Justin Simmons, the leader of Denver’s defensive backfield, spoke on the intensity the two bring to practice: “I love it. Every rep between those two is like a playoff snap. You can’t teach that type of urgency. It’s infectious.”
This type of training camp fire is what separates teams that talk about contention from those who live it. McMillian and Barron are showing that no spot is safe, and that if you’re not improving, you’re falling behind. While Barron continues to push for playing time, McMillian is proving that incumbents don’t have to just give way to rookies. They can fight. And fight hard.
When asked whether he feels threatened by Barron’s presence, McMillian flashed a smirk.
“I ain’t ever been scared of competition,” he said. “If you’re scared, go play something else. I came to ball.”
It’s that mentality that’s keeping McMillian firmly in the mix. He knows his role is never guaranteed. In a league that forgets its heroes quickly, he’s determined to remind everyone who he is—and what he’s still becoming.
And while Jahdae Barron continues to impress, he’s learning quickly that the NFL isn’t a place where talent alone carries the day. It takes resilience, consistency, and an edge. Fortunately for him, he’s lining up every day across from a guy who embodies all three.
For now, the battle rages on. McMillian embraces it. Barron leans into it. And the Broncos? They’re the real winners.
