Editor’s note: First in a series previewing the Broncos’ position groups entering training camp. Today, quarterbacks.
On the roster (three): Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson
How many on the 53? Likely two, outside chance for three.
Most impactful offseason move: Drafted Nix No. 12 overall in April’s draft.
The Broncos made a quarterback move by trading for Wilson on Monday of draft week. That Thursday they made the quarterback move by selecting Nix in the first round. Head coach Sean Payton boasted in February that Denver would nail the quarterback decision and predicted others wouldn’t. At the end of the offseason program, he said Nix had been everything they thought he’d be when they scouted him out of Oregon and Auburn. He’s the man who Payton’s second coaching act will be most closely associated with.
Biggest question to answer in camp: Is Nix ready from the start?
Frame the quarterback question however you want, but there’s no getting around the fact that Nix sits at the center of it. First-round picks play. Usually they don’t wait very long. The number of guys who got thrown in right away like Wilson far out-paces the number who wait a long time a la Green Bay’s Jordan Love. The choice, Payton said multiple times this offseason, often boils down to who’s in front of a young player. If it’s a proven veteran, sometimes watching and learning is best. If not, the rookie tends to play early. The Broncos very clearly fall into the latter category. If Nix shows he can operate the offense in the preseason, there’s no reason for him not to play come September.
Battle to watch: No-brainer, but don’t sleep on the battle for No. 2.
The competition to be Denver’s starter will be the talk of training camp, but almost as interesting is what Payton and company decide at the No. 2 spot. Stidham is more of a known quantity and Payton thinks there’s upside remaining with him, too. Wilson has tantalizing talent and tepid actual production dating to his three years in New York. Each are only under contract for this season with Wilson carrying a bit more guaranteed money ($2.55 million owed by the Broncos compared to $1 million for Stidham). Is it a dollars-and-cents decision? Is it a long-term potential decision? Is it purely who plays better this summer? Or is it ultimately about finding a steady hand to back up Nix? So far, you could give Wilson two of those categories (money and long-range potential) and Stidham the other two. Then another question: Can Denver sneak one onto the practice squad at the end of August?
Under the radar player: Wilson.
The guy’s not really under the radar after getting selected No. 2 overall just three years ago and then flaming out in the country’s biggest media market. But he does enter training camp already perceived by some as lagging behind Nix and Stidham. At times, his decision-making in OTAs and minicamp was questionable. He would seem to have the longest odds of the trio of starting Week 1 at Seattle. And yet, the arm talent just jumps out when the three stand next to each other and throw. Payton’s made a point of saying that arm strength alone is overrated by NFL observers, but he’s also made it clear the Broncos wanted a chance to work with Wilson’s talent. It’s not the most likely outcome, but if Wilson gets a fast start in camp, August gets interesting quickly.
Tuesday: Running backs.
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Originally Published: July 8, 2024 at 5:45 a.m.
