The Broncos desperately needed a quarterback after cutting ties with Russell Wilson at the end of the 2023 regular season.
Denver took an $85 million hit in dead cap due to the release, but the organization is hoping it found its future star quarterback when it selected Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Some may believe Denver reached for Nix at No. 12, but the organization needed a quarterback and he was the last of the top six remaining.
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The rookie slinger pieced together a strong preseason debut, boosting his chances at being the Week 1 starter in Denver. He'll have to outdo both Jarret Stidham and Zach Wilson to earn the job, however.
The Sporting News breaks down Nix's chances at earning the starting role in Denver.
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Will Bo Nix start for Broncos right away?
The Broncos will have a major decision to make before their Week 1 matchup against the Seahawks. Three quarterbacks are competing for the starting position, with Stidham seemingly leading the pack.
Stidham, Nix, and Wilson make up the Broncos' quarterback room for the 2024 season, but it's clear the organization would like to make Nix the long-term option. All three quarterbacks played in the team's first preseason game against the Colts.
Stidham started, completing 4-7 passes for 37 yards and one interception. Nix, on the other, hand completed 15-21 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown. Wilson had a strong performance, too, posting 10-13 passes for 117 yards.
First TD of the preseason. 🤩@marvindmims | 📺: NFLN pic.twitter.com/sIelvUk5n7
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 11, 2024
Head coach Sean Payton didn't give any indication he's leaning in a certain direction, however. He complimented all three quarterbacks for their play.
"It's probably the most important part of the evaluation — these games and the scrimmages," Payton said. "There's certain settings that you get even a little bit more information on. I thought all three of them handled the settings well. I think their decisions, for the most part, were good."
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Nix will start the Broncos second preseason game against the Packers on Aug. 18. This decision was made before the first preseason game, so it's not a reactionary decision from Payton.
The Broncos haven't named a starter for their final preseason game against the Cardinals on Aug. 25. Wilson could take that spot if Payton wants to share the love in the QB room. If Stidham or Nix starts, however, it could be an indication of who is the favorite to start Week 1.
Rookie quarterbacks drafted outside the top 10 often don't start early in the regular season, so it wouldn't be overly surprising to see Nix as the backup for Week 1. Star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love each sat out the entire first season of their NFL careers.
The major difference in the Denver scenario is that there isn't a proven veteran quarterback on the roster. Stidham has played just four seasons, mostly as a backup, while Wilson started three mediocre seasons for the Jets.
Broncos QB depth chart
Denver hasn't finalized its quarterback depth chart just yet, but it seems that Stidham leads the group with Nix falling in second.
Nix will start the team's second preseason game, so things could change with another solid performance. Here's how the depth chart looks after the first game and a projected look for the second game.
Preseason Week 1 QB depth chart
- Jarrett Stidham
- Bo Nix
- Zach Wilson
Preseason Week 2 QB depth chart
- Bo Nix
- Jarrett Stidham
- Zach Wilson