NFL draft pick Bo Nix is a fan favorite at Broncos training camp

ENGLEWOOD – Russell Wilson is gone, and the Broncos are looking for a new starting quarterback.

Owen Mizanin has let it be known how he wants things to play out.

The 18-year-old from Highlands Ranch showed up at Friday’s first practice of training camp before fans wearing a No. 3 Wilson jersey. Then he went into the team store at Broncos Park, plopped down $150, and bought a No. 10 Bo Nix jersey.

“I would say it’s the changing of the guard,’’ Mizanin said of his new apparel.

Nix, the No. 12 pick in the NFL draft in April out of Oregon, is battling Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson to be the replacement for Russell Wilson, who was released in March and is now with Pittsburgh. There is no question who the favorite among fans is.

Joe Scancarello, 47, of Aurora, was decked out Friday in a Nix jersey and said he had seen more than 50 others being worn by fans at the practice. So how many Stidham or Zach Wilson jerseys were on display?

None could be found. In fact, the only way to buy a No. 8 Stidham jersey or a No. 4 Zach Wilson jersey at the team store is to have one specially made.

There were several Russell Wilson jerseys on display. Of course, there were lots of No. 7 John Elway and No. 18 Peyton Manning jerseys. There was even a fan who donned Brock Osweiler’s No. 17.

“There’s a reason you can buy a Nix jersey but not a Stidham or (Zach) Wilson one,’’ Mizanin said. “I feel like out of the gate we should be starting Nix. I have a lot of faith in him. I think he’s going to be really good.”

Broncos coach Sean Payton rotated his three quarterbacks with the first-team offense during spring drills and that has remained the case to start training camp. Stidham got the nod on Wednesday, Nix on Thursday and Zach Wilson on Friday.

It was Nix who received far more applause Friday than the other two, beginning when he trotted onto the field. The fans especially liked it when Nix threw up his arms to urge them on.

“I haven’t really paid much attention to the fan favorite,’’ Payton said when asked about Nix’s popularity. “I want the fan favorite to be someone that wins for us.”

None of the three quarterbacks tore it up Friday, when the defense had a better day than the offense. But that often is the case for teams early in training camp.

For the previous two seasons, Russell Wilson was assured of being the starter entering camp. But he was benched for the final two games last season in favor of Stidham before being released.

Left tackle Garett Bolles was asked how different it is opening camp with quarterback job wide open.

“They all can play, or they wouldn’t be here,’’ Bolles said. “That’s how Coach Payton rolls. … He’s had one great quarterback in Drew Brees (when coaching New Orelans) and he has a certain way of doing things and he knows all of these quarterbacks can be special for us. Stiddy and Zach and Bo and all those guys, I love dearly. It’s just my job to keep (the quarterback’s) jersey fresh. It doesn’t matter who’s back there.”

Nix is considered the future for the Broncos. That's why Scancarello believes he should get the call in the Sept. 8 opener at Seattle.

“We’ve got to find out if he can play or not,’’ Scancarello said. “This is a building year, and it would kill me to not see these young guys getting a chance. Elway had rough moments and lined up under guard (as a rookie), and Manning set the record for interceptions (for a rookie with 28 in 1998 for Indianapolis). So, I’d like to see Nix learn. I think the other guys we have are journeyman.”

Scancarello celebrated his birthday Friday, and his Nix jersey was a gift presented before the start of practice by sons Antonio, 27, and Vinnie, 13.

“Hopefully, I’ll get to wear this for many years,’’ he said.

Johnny Glaze, 32, of Littleton, feels the same way. He also was wearing a Nix jersey on Friday.

“I like his composure,’’ Glaze said. “I think Bo needs to start off the year at Seattle to see how he fares. The only other two quarterback jerseys I have are Elway and Manning, and I hope that trend continues (with Nix).”

As for Mizanin, he will be back at training camp for an Aug. 3 practice. He will wear his new Nix jersey and leave the Russell Wilson one at home.