Broncos’ Sean Payton Expects Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham to Make Roster Behind Nix

Zach BacharContributor IAugust 26, 2024

Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton expects quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham to earn spots on the team’s final 53-man roster behind Bo Nix this season.

“I feel comfortable with those three quarterbacks,” Payton said on Sunday, per Mike Klis of 9News. “I think I told you already I see the three of them making it.”

Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, was named the Broncos’ starter on Wednesday.

Stidham was originally listed as the starter on the team’s first unofficial depth chart in training camp after starting two games for the Broncos in 2023. He finished with a record of 1-1 as a first-string option, completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 496 yards and two touchdowns compared to one interception.

The 28-year-old dealt with inconsistency throughout the preseason, as he completed just 59.1 percent of his throws and was picked off twice without recording a passing touchdown.

“First of all, obviously I was very disappointed,” Stidham said about not being named the starting quarterback, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. “I know I’m a starting quarterback in this league. I have no doubts about that, and it just didn’t shake out my way. I know what kind of player I am, what kind of person I am. Like I said earlier, I’ll be ready to go if I need to be. Like I said, I have no doubts that I’m a starting-caliber quarterback in this league.”

Wilson joined the Broncos when he was acquired along with a seventh-round pick in an April 23 trade with the New York Jets. Denver sent a sixth-round selection to New York in return.

A change of scenery appears to be benefitting Wilson, as the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft wrapped up an impressive performance against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. He finished 16-of-25 for 251 yards through the air, recording three total touchdowns without turning the ball over.

NFL @NFLZach Wilson uncorks one and Brandon Johnson has himself a 46-yard TD 🔥

📺: #AZvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1dnC0msAOx

Payton hasn’t been shy about his affinity for all three passers, telling reporters on Friday that he has a “pretty good idea” of the direction that the team will go with in regards to the quarterback room (via ESPN’s Jeff Legwold).

“I’ve said it and I’ll say it again, I like that room,” Payton said.

With preseason action coming to an end, Nix will take over for the Broncos under center once their regular season opens against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8.