Denver Broncos veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham is entering his second year in coach Sean Payton’s offense, but he isn’t necessarily the favorite to win the team’s starting job this summer.
Payton used his 12th overall pick in this year’s NFL draft to select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, who looked good in his (preseason) NFL debut on Sunday. Nix is now set to start in Week 2 of preseason and ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes the rookie is leading the race for the QB1 job.
“Bo Nix was the guy that Sean Payton was after the whole time,” Schefter said on NFL Live on Monday, referencing April’s draft. “Sean Payton was mesmerized by his skillset, and this was a guy that essentially the Broncos were hoping was going to get to them. They considered even trading up to secure his services. And because of all those factors, it always felt like it was going to be Bo Nix’s job to lose this summer.
“Well, if you’re going to go out and throw 15-of-21, throw for a touchdown, lead four scoring drives — that’s not losing that job. That’s winning that job.”
“Bo Nix was the guy that Sean Payton was after the whole time.” @AdamSchefter said that the Broncos QB1 position is Bo Nix's to lose 🤝 pic.twitter.com/09TMKjxNZ4
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 12, 2024
Nix threw for 125 yards with one touchdown pass and no turnovers against the Indianapolis Colts last week. Nix’s only drive that did not result in a score ended when Lucas Krull fumbled and Indianapolis recovered the ball.
Nix will start against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and Stidham will get playing time with the second-team offense. If he turns in another impressive performance, Nix will undoubtedly be the favorite to win the starting job going into the final week of preseason.
[vertical-gallery id=620142]