Denver Broncos head coach names Bo Nix as the starting quarterback

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton named first-round draft pick Bo Nix as the starting quarterback on Wednesday.

Payton said he is pleased with the development so far of all three young Broncos quarterbacks on the roster, but Nix's scores on six of his seven drives so far in the preseason were hard to ignore.

On Sunday in a 27-2 victory over the Green Bay Packers, the rookie out of Oregon threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick and a 14-yard strike to Javonte Williams that was overturned on review as he was ruled just past the line of scrimmage when he threw. Nix finished 8 of 9 for 90 yards and a stellar 140.7 passer rating.

"Look, Bo Nix is going to be our starting quarterback," said Payton, addressing the media after Wednesday's practice. "I felt like and I said this to you guys two weeks ago -- that room has been outstanding."

Payton also discussed Jarrett Stidham's performance and the process of evaluating the quarterbacks, including Zach Wilson during training camp and the preseason.

"Stidham, certainly with his experience, being able to work with Zach Wilson, all three of those guys. We got some tough decisions as we get into the roster," said Payton. "Stiddy [Stidham] will be a great resource for him [Nix] as well as Zach and we feel like that offseason, it's such an important position, we made some really good decisions and we're going to have a chance to see them fold as the season goes on."

"Nix's accuracy, athleticism, field vision and calm demeanor were all on display," Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports wrote.

CBS News Colorado's Rod Mackey provided input on Payton's decision to start Nix over Stidham and Wilson by saying, "It's kind of strange that he didn't tell the team, but told all three quarterbacks, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson and Bo Nix before practice this afternoon."

He added, "Yes, he is the starter but the work has just begun for Bo Nix."