Jarrett

Stidham

Bo Nix is the obvious lock to make the roster here, while Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham were left to battle it out for the QB2 role. Wilson played on all but one drive for the Broncos on Sunday, throwing for 251 yards and two scores while rushing for another. Wilson played well enough this preseason to justify being kept on the roster if the Broncos wanted to keep three quarterbacks. Assuming Payton isn’t sending smoke signals on this one, it sounds like they are more than ready to carry three signal-callers entering Week 1, with Nix already named the starter.

Jarrett Stidham made the start in this one but was pulled after one drive, leaving Wilson to manage things the rest of the way. It’s possible this was a bit of a showcase game for Wilson, who could be on the cutting block if the Broncos opt to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster. The former No. 2 overall pick was solid in his final preseason outing. He didn’t turn the ball over and threw for two scores while rushing for another. Wilson’s longest pass of the night came on a 46-yard pass to Brandon Johnson, who he found deep downfield for the score. Wilson’s preseason ends with 397 passing yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. If the Broncos opt to move on from him, he’s almost certain to have suitors, but he may be more of a practice squad candidate than a QB2 option for the time being.

The news doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The No. 12 overall pick was the favorite to win the job heading into training camp. Though he had his fair share of rocky outings on the practice field, Nix slammed the door shut on Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson by going 23-of-30 with 205 yards and two touchdowns in his two preseason appearances. Nix looked comfortable under pressure, wasn’t sacked once, and didn’t throw an interception. Nix profiles as a great fit for Payton’s system and could surprise fantasy managers as a streaming QB2. He makes for a great upside bet in Superflex leagues.

Stidham saw a batted ball go the other way for an interception and took one sack on the night. He led the Broncos to a field goal in the third quarter but didn’t help his team put any points on the board on his other drives. Stidham needed a strong night after Bo Nix threw for 80 yards and a touchdown on his two drives but was unable to deliver. It wouldn’t be surprising if we learned that Nix locked up the QB1 job after this week’s performance.

Per Payton, Nix will also get the majority of the first-team reps in practice this week. Jarrett Stidham got the same treatment heading into his start in the Broncos’ preseason opener versus the Colts. Nix went 15-of-21 for 125 yards and a touchdown in relief of Stidham in that game. A good outing this week should lock him in as the Broncos’ Week 1 starter. If he struggles, the door will remain cracked for Stidham to get the nod in Week 1.

Stidham’s interception was not his fault; RB Samaje Perine bobbled a pass that led to Colts CB Kenny Moore II successfully executing the tip drill. Stidham failed to make a strong case for the starting role overall though, likely making the remaining QB competition reps largely a formality.

Journeyman QB Jarrett Stidham will start this Sunday against the Colts, with Nix operating as his primary backup. Payton is dividing the offense repetitions into three phases, stating “The first phase will be somewhere between 15 and 20 (plays). Nix might get the final series in phase one. We just got to see where we’re at rep wise.” Zach Wilson now appears firmly entrenched as the No. 3 quarterback, effectively removing even nominal consideration for the starting role.

Rookie Bo Nix is listed as third on the depth chart, which presumably leaves Zach Wilson as the QB2 for Sunday’s contest. Stidham is a six-year vet and a knower of Sean Payton’s offensive system after spending last year with the team. It’s not surprising to see him draw the nod in the team’s first preseason contest, as it’s possible the team will look to ease Nix into his first game of live NFL action. We wouldn’t expect the Broncos’ depth chart to look this way for long, but it’s possible Nix will open the year as a backup rather than as the team’s QB1.

“There’s going to be a time when you read into the reps, I don’t think it’s early in OTAs,” Payton said. “It’s kind of the orphan group, they’re all orphan dogs. They’ve come from somewhere, but they’re doing good. It’s a good room.’' Nix, according to Denver beat writers, has not been sharp so far in OTA sessions, with Stidham standing out among the QB trio. As the team’s first round draft pick and a good fit for the Payton offense, Nix is still the odds-on favorite to start Week 1 barring some kind of training camp meltdown. Stidham, a favorite of Payton’s, could start a few early-season games before ceding the job to Nix. The Broncos will certainly do whatever it takes to keep Wilson off the field this season.

Payton attributes Nix’s NFL readiness to the 61 games he played in college while also adding that Nix is “extremely smart” and “picked [the offense] up very quickly.” Selected by the Broncos with the No. 12 pick in this year’s draft, Nix has a chance to open the season as the Week 1 starter if he can simply beat out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson for the job — a task that appears relatively easy on the surface. Payton’s early praise of his young signal-caller can only bode well for him when it comes to deciding who opens as the Week 1 starter in four months.