The Denver Broncos are set to practice this morning in preparation for Sunday’s season opener on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. Amidst the list of things the team hopes to have settled before Sunday’s game, the backup quarterback role is currently undefined.
Denver Broncos undecided on backup QB role as of Monday
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton met with local media this morning in a conference call over Zoom. As questions filtered in about the recent report of the San Francisco 49ers previous interest in Courtland Sutton, game week, and other items, the backup quarterback job is one worth monitoring.
The team hasn’t announced anything since Payton kept Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Zach Wilson, ensuring there will be three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
As it pertains to who will be the one backing up Nix on Sunday, that’s to be determined.
“Listen, I’ll settle it and keep you posted,” Payton said.
This and who will be the team captains for this upcoming season will likely be announced later this week, possibly on Wednesday.
Jonas Griffith will receive injury settlement from Denver
Over the weekend, former Broncos inside linebacker Jonas Griffith announced on Instagram that he’ll undergo knee surgery once again to repair a torn ACL in the same knee he suffered the injury on last season.
He was released by the Broncos during roster cuts, but Payton applauded Griffith for how hard he worked to come back from last year’s injury, what he offered them during training camp and the preseason and said the team plans to do right by him.
“We’re gonna certainly do right by the player and take care of him,” Payton said. This will come in the form of an injury settlement versus him going on the team’s reserved/injured list.
Broncos personnel moves for Monday morning
After waiving him last week to sign former Green Bay Packers linebacker Kristian Welch, Levelle Bailey is returning to the team, fulfilling their final practice squad spot.
Bailey cleared waivers and will be at practice this morning as the team prepares for Seattle.
Payton noted the team wanted to look at adding to the inside linebacker position which led to Welch’s signing. Denver had a chance to see him up close during joint practices and their preseason game against the Packers, but Welch’s overall body of work stood out.
“He was someone that stood out on film,” Payton said. Welch will likely play a lot on special teams at the start.