Former NFL WR Ed McCaffrey talks about son Luke’s preparation for 2026 season

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 1: Luke McCaffrey (2), left, and his father and head coach Ed McCaffrey of Valor Christian football team are in the Class 5A state football championship game against Cherry Creek at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. December 1, 2018. Valor Christian won 24-14. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images

We've talked a lot about wide receivers this offseason - more specifically, who may step up (or be signed) to be the number two opposite Terry McLaurin. Some familiar names that have been mentioned (besides Aiyuk and Diggs) are Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown and third-round rookie Antonio Williams.

My friend Kyle Odegard was kind enough to share this exclusive interview he did with Ed McCaffrey this month where Ed talks about the Broncos, sons Christian and Luke, and his youth football camp.

He gave some good insight into Luke's physical and mental preparation for the up-coming season and dealing with a slow start to his NFL career.

Ed McCaffrey on Luke trying to increase his playing time in 2026:

I know Luke is working really hard to be the best player he can be. It's very competitive and there is a lot of talent on that roster. Luke knows that. He's the son of an NFL player. His brothers play and coach in the NFL. He knows he has to go out and earn it. No one gives you anything in this league.

But I can say he looked in great shape last time I saw him. He looked stronger than a year ago. He looks faster and more explosive. He's giving himself the best chance to get on the field and compete for the Commanders.

Ed McCaffrey on starting his own NFL career slowly and Luke staying patient:

The NFL is a tough league. You're in the top .00001% of football players in the world. It's the elite of the elite at that level. And you can only control what you can control: your attitude and your effort, and you can get bigger and stronger in the offseason and make sure you know the plays.

As a wide receiver, you can't control your playing time and you can't throw yourself the football. As a receiver, you have to be very patient, and you have to be ready for the opportunities that you get. When you get them, you really have to make them count. He knows that. He's doing everything he can. It's just the life of a wide receiver.

Ed McCaffrey on what he's heard about David Blough:

I've heard a lot of great things coming out of OTAs from other coaches and players. I think they are very impressed with the job he's been doing as the OC.

We have talked extensively about who will step up to be that complementary piece to Terry McLaurin this season. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Luke in this article. According to Ed, Luke is in a good place both physically and mentally and it seems this new offense will fit his skillset a bit more that what we saw Kingsbury roll out the past two seasons.

Regardless if/when Brandon Aiyuk joins the Commanders, it appears Luke McCaffrey is prepared for a larger role this season.