Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos’ head coach, has yet to decide who will start under centre in Week 1 next season.
After Russell Wilson’s departure, there is no clear successor, but the different experience of their quarterbacks allows Payton to make a decision later.
First in line is Bo Nix, an Oregon rookie selected 12th in the 2024 NFL Draft. Zach Wilson is also in the quarterback’s room, entering his fourth NFL season after being selected second by the New York Jets, but in desperate need of a fresh start following an unsuccessful stint with Gang Green.
Jarrett Stidham, the veteran of the trio at 27, has only four NFL starts from stints with the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos.
With OTAs, summer camp, and preseason games coming, all three have a chance to stake their claim, since there is no clear frontrunner and any of the three might start the season. When asked about his quarterbacks on Friday, Payton joked, “It’s kind of the orphan group,” adding, “They’re all orphaned dogs.” They came from somewhere, and they’re doing well. It’s a good room.
Denver has been stuck in a rut since Peyton Manning retired in 2015, which also happened to be the team’s final postseason appearance.
Nix is the first quarterback selected in the first round since Paxton Lynch in 2016, who left the NFL after four starts and no wins.
Nix appears to be gaining confidence, especially after his Oregon teammate Troy Franklin was picked by Denver as an additional wide receiver option. Stidham, who replaced Russell Wilson at the end of the previous season, will be eager for his opportunity, while Zach Wilson has joined with the goal of clinching the top spot.
“They come from different systems,” Payton said about his quarterbacks. “One is coming from college. One comes from two or three NFL systems, while the other comes from just one system. They’re all racing to learn the system. I’d say — you guys saw the practice — they’re doing great.”
Payton has remained tight-lipped about who is now in the lead, and it’s likely that even the head coach is unaware at this time. Their draft action points to Nix, Wilson’s trade from New York says it could be him, and their decision to keep Stidham offers him a reasonable chance.
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