Stidham gets nod in Broncos’ preseason opener, but rookie QB Nix will start next week

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton doesn’t want anyone thinking his quarterback competition is over. So, when he named Jarrett Stidham his starter at Indianapolis this weekend he was quick to declare rookie Bo Nix will get the nod next week against the Green Bay Packers.

Payton said Friday that Stidham will be first up by virtue of having been in his system for a year — he started the final two games last season when Russell Wilson was benched.

“I just think right now certainly he’s been here, his experience,” Payton said. “Next week, it’ll be Nix. We’re focused on this game, and I would say just with where we’re at.”

Payton also said there’s a possibility Nix gets some snaps with the starters Sunday at Indianapolis so long as the O-linemen and others haven’t hit their “pitch count” by the time Nix gets into the game.

The Broncos will also have a joint practice with the Packers next week ahead of their game at Empower Field at Mile High, where the rookie will have a friendly crowd on hand.

The Broncos selected Nix out of Oregon with the 12th overall pick in the NFL draft. He’s the first rookie Payton has put in a race for the starting QB job in his NFL coaching career.

Nix, Stidham and Zach Wilson began camp in a three-way race for the starting job but after the first week of training camp it’s been just Nix and Stidham splitting the snaps with the starters.

If Nix wins the job, he’ll become the 14th player to start at quarterback for Denver since Peyton Manning’s retirement in 2016.

Payton didn’t want go into his plans for players other than his quarterbacks Sunday but did say it was too early for defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike to get into a game. Uwazurike returned from a yearlong gambling suspension this week.

“Fair question. I think it’s a tick early. I think our plan is to have him work out, travel. We can do some conditioning prior to the game. Then next week at this time, look at him getting ... a certain amount of plays,” Payton said. “I think for someone who’s been out for a year, I just would regret it if we hurried him back and then he had a pulled muscle or something. So I think it’s a tick early.”