As the Denver Broncos codify their preseason quarterback plans , questions still loom over who will be the first-choice signal caller.
However, one fact about the depth chart seems abundantly clear: Zach Wilson will be QB3. Coach Sean Payton named incumbent quarterback Jarret Stidham the team's starter for the first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Bo Nix, a first-round draft pick this year, will start Denver 's second preseason contest.
"I just think, right now, certainly [Stidham's] been here, his experience," Payton said . "Next week it'll be Nix, but we're focused on this game, just with where we're at.''
Payton's announcement comes as a death knell to former Jets QB Zach Wilson's chances. Wilson, who's started 33 games over the past three seasons for New York, appears headed toward the bottom of the depth chart.
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ESPN reported how over the team's last 11 practices, Stidham and Nix have alternated reps with the first-team offense. Wilson was amongst that rotation during Denver's first week of practices but is no longer part of that group.
The Broncos brought in three new quarterbacks after two seasons of subpar play from Russell Wilson at quarterback. The former Seahawk went 11-18 in 29 starts with the franchise after Denver traded two first and second-round picks to acquire him.
As of now, Stidham looks to be leading the race to be the team's opening-day starter in 2024. He started two games last season for Denver , throwing for 496 yards and two touchdowns.
When asked about the quarterback competition, Stidham said: "It's a healthy thing. It's one of those things. Every year, their job upstairs is to bring in people they think can help the football team. And guys that are on the team, their job is to keep their job."
Stidham is likely aware that Nix is the team's long-term answer under center. The 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft posted a stunning 77.4% completion percentage at Oregon last season, throwing for 4508 yards with an impressive 45-3 TD-INT ratio.
"We'll play three phases," Payton said about his preseason plans. "It's pretty common. We'll pay attention to really more of the plays than quarters. The first phase will be somewhere between 15 and 20 [plays], ideally. Stidham will start in Phase 1. Nix will be in Phase 2. And then Zach will be in Phase 3. Nix might get the final series in Phase 1. We've just got to see where we're at rep-wise."
That could spell the end for Wilson in Denver. The team acquired him for pittance back in April, swapping a sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick to acquire his services from the New York Jets. The team's agreed to split the cost of his 2024 salary.
Payton was mum when asked if Wilson would still get reps with the first-team offense, only saying: "We'll see." Denver opens the 2024 NFL season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on September 8. As of now, Stidham appears to have the slight edge to start at quarterback.
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