A new defensive install is playing out at Broncos training camp with an evolved scheme, different terminology and many personnel changes under a fresh coaching staff.

Any questions as to how it might look on game days under coach Vic Fangio’s direction?

Bryce Callahan is happy to fill you in.

“Swarming to the ball, big hits and turnovers,” he said on Friday after practice. “Just an aggressive defense.”

Callahan knows from experience. The 5-foot-9, 188-pound cornerback signed a 3-year contract with the Broncos in March to solidify Denver’s secondary, but Callahan spent the past four seasons in Fangio’s Bears defense. Callahan started 29 games for Chicago and compiled 122 tackles, 20 pass deflections and four interceptions at mostly nickel cornerback in the same defensive system he now enters in Denver.

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Classes are in session at UCHealth Training Center. Callahan has embraced the role of teacher’s assistant.

“In OTAs when everybody was first learning the terminology and all that stuff, they were asking me questions; and that’s kind of what I’m here for,” Callahan said. “You can learn better from a player sometimes than you can from a coach. In that aspect, I can help the guys a lot. … It’s the same message but just worded differently.

“We’re out on the field playing together. So when you hear it from a teammate it kind of rings different. I’ve been in the defense longer so I’ve seen the plays longer. If I do see something out of place, I can give that extra voice.”

Fangio’s prior defensive success was often rooted in disguising coverages where pre-snap secondary communication is essential. Safety Justin Simmons will carry much of the responsibility for that chatter in 2019. He believes Callahan is a bridge toward better understanding — and so much more.

“Not only does he know this defense inside and out already, being in it for the most part of his whole career, but the level of play he’s bringing is big,” Simmons said. “He’s one of the top nickel corners in the league, especially last year. Having his presence and helping us learn this playbook is huge.”

Callahan’s rise to such prominence didn’t come easy. He went undrafted in 2015 from Rice and started his NFL career on Chicago’s practice squad. But Callahan didn’t stay unknown for long. The Bears activated him in Week 8 of his rookie season and Callahan never looked back. In 2018, he set or tied career marks for tackles (45), pass deflections (six), sacks (two) and interceptions (two).

“He just kept getting better and better, all the time, ” Fangio said. ” … Bryce is a smart player, he understands football, he understands what we’re doing and I’m really glad we got him. He was a nickel for us (in Chicago) and only played a little bit of corner, but he can play corner and he may end up being a corner for us and you may not see him at nickel.” Related Articles Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay doubtful to play Sunday, but progressing from toe injury

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That transition was on display Friday during the team’s second training camp practice in scrimmage settings when Callahan played almost exclusively outside and opposite of cornerback Chris Harris with the first-team defense. Callahan regularly faced single coverage against wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, with Callahan notching at least one diving pass deflection in the process.

“To have Bryce is definitely huge,” Harris said. “He’s playing a new role and something different than he’s ever done. So I can give him some tips on that outside (position). But he’s definitely keeping everybody along for sure.”

Callahan doesn’t carry the boastful public bravado as many NFL defensive backs, at least not with reporters, with a quiet belief his past experiences will shape his future success. No player on the roster knows Fangio quite like Callahan. Rejoining forces is a dream come true.

“I’m confident in this team, 100 percent,” Callahan said. “I’m ready to roll.”