The Warner name is headed to Broncos rookie minicamp — and dad couldn’t be more excited

There’s a famous name suiting up at the Denver Broncos’ rookie minicamp this weekend, and it’s not the one on the Pro Football Hall of Fame plaque.

E.J. Warner, son of legendary QB Kurt Warner, has accepted an invitation to try out for the Broncos at this weekend’s rookie minicamp, running May 8-10, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The younger Warner went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, and just like his dad once did, he’s grinding his way toward an NFL opportunity one tryout at a time.

The timing of the Broncos’ interest is no coincidence. Starter Bo Nix recently underwent a second procedure on his surgically repaired ankle, prompting Denver to bring in what’s often called a “camp arm” — a quarterback who can help run practices and keep things moving during the early portion of the offseason program. E.J. Warner fits that bill, and then some, given the attention his famous last name brings to Englewood.

Warner, 22, is 6-foot, 203 pounds and spent his college career bouncing between Temple, Rice and Fresno State. At Fresno State last fall, he went 7-3 as a starter, throwing for 2,030 yards with 13 touchdowns and a 69.3% completion percentage — which led the Mountain West Conference. He also rushed for 126 yards and a score and was named MVP of the Arizona Bowl.

This is actually his second tryout in as many weekends. Warner worked out with the Kansas City Chiefs last week but wasn’t signed by Andy Reid and company. Now he gets a shot in front of Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

As for dad? Kurt Warner couldn’t hide his excitement. “I’m excited,” Kurt Warner told The Denver Gazette. “Like so many of these other kids coming out of college, he’s just trying to find an opportunity to show people that they can perform at the NFL level.”

The elder Warner knows a thing or two about that path. He went undrafted, was cut by the Green Bay Packers, famously stocked grocery store shelves, played in the Arena Football League, and didn’t get his first NFL start until 1999 — before going on to win two MVP awards and a Super Bowl. Kurt has made no secret of his belief in his son’s abilities, saying in 2025, “He’s a lot better than I was as an overall player. It’s not even close. Just his intelligence, his ability to see the field.”

E.J. isn’t the only quarterback getting a look this weekend. The Broncos are also bringing in veteran Nathan Peterman, a former fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills who has bounced around the league since 2017, to help run the minicamp.

Whether E.J. Warner earns a roster spot or not, the story practically writes itself — a Hall of Fame quarterback’s son, following his dad’s undrafted footsteps, trying to convince Sean Payton he belongs in orange and blue.

No pressure, kid.