Broncos' demeanor reminds Ward of Super Bowl season

Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward is solely focused on returning to the Super Bowl at all costs.

Led by a historically great defense, the Broncos captured Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. However, the Broncos regressed in 2016, missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

Ward explained that the Broncos' demeanor is completely different than it was the same time last year, with the team singularly focused on capturing the Lombardi Trophy once again.

"It's the exact opposite," Ward said recently via ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "(I'm) in the dungeon, grinding. As soon as the Super Bowl was over, I started working out and trying to make this season a lot better than last year because not going to the playoffs, it hurt after going winning the Super Bowl. I know everybody on this team came back ready for that not to happen again. I can just see it guys’ demeanor, the way they are working and their attitudes. It kind of reminds me of the Super Bowl season."

Gary Kubiak retired from his head coaching position at the end of the 2016 season, citing health issues, and the Broncos enter the upcoming campaign with Vance Joseph leading the charge. Denver also relied upon an inexperienced starting quarterback in Trevor Siemian after Peyton Manning retired weeks after the Super Bowl 50 victory .

Ward is blocking out all distractions before the upcoming season, noting that he wants to make a second appearance at the White House, a customary tradition for the reigning Super Bowl champions.

"I would definitely prefer to be at the White House, but you know, when you don't go to the White House, you have to go to the dungeon," Ward said. "Until we’re back at the White House, I'll be in the dungeon."