Jarrett Stidham is surprisingly atop the Denver Broncos depth chart ahead of Zach Wilson and rookie Bo Nix .
On Tuesday, the AFC West franchise released its unofficial depth chart with Stidham in the starting spot for training camp. Wilson , acquired from the New York Jets for a late-round pick earlier this offseason, is second while Nix is third despite impressing head coach Sean Payton.
It should be noted an unofficial depth chart is hardly an indication of who will start against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. Nix has seemingly coped well in practice, making calculated plays and keeping the ball well, even if he makes mistakes according to DenverSports.com .
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The former Oregon quarterback has practiced only with the first team in the Broncos ' last two practices on Saturday and Monday. Stidham was expected to receive first-team reps on Tuesday.
While Wilson is listed second on the depth chart above Nix, Payton’s practice rotation appears to indicate the former second-overall pick is third in the pecking order. This is because Stidham and Nix alternated first-team reps in the first week of camp.
However, Payton dismissed the notion that this means anything. On July 30, he addressed the quarterback battle when he told reporters: "No news to announce there. I know you're looking for it."
Nix was reportedly the only quarterback participating in move-the-ball drills and walkthroughs, which could suggest the 12th overall pick is in line to win the starting job. The 24-year-old is the NCAA leader in games played by a quarterback, having spent three years at Auburn and two seasons at Oregon.
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Stidham is likely to start the preseason opener on Sunday to see how the 27-year-old will do with the starters. Nix may be handed his first start in the second preseason contest on Aug. 18 as that is likely the game in which the starters play their most snaps.
Payton is not just handing Nix the keys to the offense right away, but his ascension to starter and franchise quarterback will happen sooner rather than later. The Broncos spent the No. 12 overall pick on him for a reason.
In the 2023 season, Nix led Oregon to a successful season, with the Ducks firmly in contention for the College Football Playoff. He helped lead the team to a 5–0 start before their first setback against Washington, and Oregon rattled off six successive wins to reach the Pac-12 Championship Game where Nix and co. fell to the Huskies once again.
Nix passed for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and three interceptions to go with six rushing touchdowns on the year en route to a third-place finish in the Heisman Trophy behind Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr . Nix led the NCAA in pass completions, completion percentage, and passing touchdowns in 2023.
The Broncos will kick off their preseason schedule against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
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