Broncos' first unofficial depth chart shouldn't raise concerns about rookie QB Bo Nix

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has praised rookie quarterback Bo Nix throughout training camp. However, he wasn't the starter on the team's first unofficial depth chart.

The Broncos released the depth chart on Tuesday. Nix was listed as QB3 behind Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, but that doesn't mean he's losing ground in the battle for the starting job.

No rookie is on the first- or second-string. Per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post, Payton is likely taking a cue from one of his mentors, Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Parcells, and trying to motivate the team's rookies.

This tactic may work. According to Gabriel, Nix threw two straight touchdowns — a 25-yarder to tight end Lucas Krull and a 20-yarder to wide receiver Tim Patrick — in seven-on-seven drills during Tuesday's practice.

In a clip on his X account, former quarterback and The Athletic's Chase Daniel—who played for Payton in four seasons with the New Orleans Saints—said Nix is splitting first-team reps with Stidham. Daniel added that he believed the 24-year-old might win the starting job.

It's clear Nix is Payton's hand-picked signal-caller. The HC recently told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer he had Nix and another QB as the "top tier" in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In camp, Nix is showing why Payton took him with the 12th overall pick, displaying poise under pressure.

"When we watched his tape, the pockets in our league are dirty, and a lot of the times quarterbacks need a full stride," Payton said, per Breer. "He's one of those guys that can take a real short step. He made a big throw the other day with a short rusher."

Although Nix is at the bottom of the depth chart, he'll likely climb it before the regular season.