Bo Nix is the starter.
Jarrett Stidham is the backup.
The Broncos quarterback situation is as clear as it’s been since Peyton Manning hopped off the plane in 2012. And that’s a great thing.
They say “less is more” when it comes to the most important position in sports, and by and large, that’s true. After all – as they also tend to say – “if you’ve got more than one quarterback, you’ve got none.” If anyone can validate that sentiment, it’s Broncos fans. Since Manning, the Broncos have had 13 different starting quarterbacks – none of them good enough to truly seize the job.
The verdict on Nix remains to be seen, but for now, he’s “the one.” There’s hope in the air; based on the preseason, Nix looks as if he was not only the right draft pick but also has the best shot at being the franchise quarterback the Broncos haven’t had in years. Still, there’s a long way from here to there.
The NFL’s reduced preseason schedule saw Nix (and plenty of other starters) sit the last one out. No coach wants to risk his starter with nothing on the line; apparently no coach wants the backup exposed to risk either – Stidham played just a single series and only had four passing attempts.
The limited number of snaps for Nix (as in, zero) and Stidham was telling for sure, but might have represented a great opportunity for third-string quarterback Zach Wilson. Against the Cardinals, Wilson has handed a heavy workload and handled it well. On his 26 passing attempts, he completed 16 passes and tossed two touchdown receptions. His rating was a nifty 122.9. Unlike both Nix and Stidham, Wilson showed why he (and his rocket arm) were drafted second overall.
“Look, he made some impressive throws,” Payton said during his postgame remarks. “He has got a live arm down the field.”
Take it a step further; Wilson is – by far – the most talented quarterback on the roster. Nix might be the best, but Wilson unquestionably has the biggest arm.
Before you think it, this isn’t a plea to Sean Payton to redirect his thinking and start Wilson. It’s not a plea for anything, really. Besides, Payton has already said that all three Broncos quarterbacks will make the roster. He also said it was his job to make sure Wilson every opportunity to make a ton of money, in or out of Denver.
Wilson’s impressive performance on Sunday will surely find its way onto 31 other teams’ radar. If any team is need of a quarterback – now or then – the Broncos will surely have two names to offer up.
Excluding Nix, which Denver quarterback do you suppose has caught the attention of GMs around the league?
It’s Wilson, hands down. If teams in need are calling, rest assured, it’s not Stidham.
Perhaps Wilson’s post-draft-night value is at an all-time high; perhaps he can fetch something good in an area of need for the Broncos.
If what Payton says is true, however, that the Broncos will keep three quarterbacks, Wilson’s value can grow in two ways.
First, the very second another team loses its starting quarterback (and it happens every season), Wilson’s value should skyrocket. Hopefully Nix is playing well and suddenly “more is more” becomes the new mantra.
There’s a second scenario, too – one that’s not so pleasant.
What if Bo Nix isn’t who we think or hope he is? Does anyone want to go into the 2024 season with Stidham as the guy? His sample size is large enough; it’s no knock on him, but Stidham hasn’t been “discovered’ by any NFL GM and his preseason verified who he is – a competent backup quarterback.
Nobody in Denver wants to tread water for another season. If Nix gets (knock on wood) hurt, or doesn’t pan out the way everyone hopes, that’s exactly what would happen if Stidham is handed the reins.
If Wilson gets them though? That’s a trickier scenario. Has Wilson’s disappointing career truly been the result of poor surroundings, bad coaching and worse offenses? Under Payton – who appears to believe in his third-stringer – Wilson might finally flourish.
There’s no way of really knowing if Wilson has turned a corner, but there’s no doubting that after an encouraging preseason, Wilson’s stock has risen.
If Payton isn’t bluffing and truly intends to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, Wilson’s value – to the Broncos or another team – should only increase.