Keeping 3 QBs gives Broncos game-day roster flexibility

The Denver Broncos opted to carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster this year: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson all made the squad.

“Yeah, we think highly of the quarterback room,” Broncos general manager George Paton said Tuesday. “I really liked the process. I thought the competition brought out the best in really all of the quarterbacks. All these guys support each other, they compete and they work well together. We looked at last year [and] I think almost half the league kept three quarterbacks. With the rule changes, we think that number will increase.”

The rule change that Paton referenced: NFL teams are limited to 48 players dressing on game days (47 if fewer than eight offensive linemen dress). Teams who carry three quarterbacks on the active roster, though, can have an emergency third QB available on game days without him counting against the 48-player limit. So carrying a third QB on the active roster gives the team more flexibility with the game-day roster.

“Last year, I think 13 or 14 teams had three [quarterbacks] and then the remaining teams had two and one on the practice squad,” coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “The exercise in your 53 [players] and your practice squad is really holding onto your assets. Guys you really feel that are talented. Certainly, that applies to ‘Stiddy’ and Zach very much so.”

Had Denver cut either one of Stidham or Wilson, they likely would have been picked up by another team this week.

“We’re glad to have all three,” Paton said. “In regard to Bo, he’s earned the opportunity to be the starter. We’ve talked about it multiple times. Just the poise, the maturity and efficiency that he’s operated on the offense has been impressive. We know like every rookie, he is going to have ups and downs, but we’ll support him through that. We’re confident in Bo and just look forward to his continued growth and development.

“With Zach, we knew Zach was really talented. We didn’t know the person. We love the day-to-day with Zach and we love the person. He’s smart and [has] all the intangibles. He obviously played well and he moved the team, and ‘Stiddy’ did as well. We like our group.”

Nix is set to start when the Broncos face the Seattle Seahawks on the road in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 8. Stidham will presumably be the primary backup, and Wilson will be available in case of emergency without counting against the 48-player game-day roster limit.