The Arizona Cardinals close the preseason on Sunday on the road against the Denver Broncos, a team the Cardinals frequently play in the preseason.
To prepare for the game, Broncos Wire managing editor Jon Heath takes us behind enemy lines to learn about the Broncos before they trim their roster to 53 players next week, answering a few questions.
Bo Nix
Jess Root: Was naming Nix the starter an awaited formality? How has he looked in camp and the preseason, and how much competition was there really for the starting job?
Jon Heath: It did feel like a formality all along. This was clearly the outcome that coach Sean Payton was hoping for, but he wasn’t going to hand Bo Nix the starting job. The rookie had to earn it, and he did. Jarrett Stidham has a year of experience in Payton’s offense, so he was real competition, but Nix looked better during training camp and preseason. It was a “real” competition in the sense that the Broncos let it play out, but this is the outcome that was expected.
Former Cardinal Zach Allen
JR: How has Zach Allen been since joining the Broncos? Is he expected to have a big year in 2024?
JH: He was excellent last season with a career-high 24 quarterback hits, 60 total tackles and five sacks. He was easily Denver’s best defensive lineman last year and that drew him some extra attention from opposing teams. After the Broncos brought in John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach this spring, Allen should be freed up to get more one-on-one matchups in 2024, so he should be headed for a strong campaign.
Starters in the preseason game?
JR: Who can Cardinals fans expect to see playing for the Broncos? Will Nix get any time? Any starters at all?
JH: Payton will announce the team’s game plan on Friday, but I would expect most starters to be rested. Nix is somewhat of a wild card because he’s a rookie without many reps, but the Broncos won’t want to risk him getting injured playing a drive with the second-string offense. If Nix and the starters do play on Sunday, it won’t be many snaps.
Sean Payton
JR: What is your assessment for the Sean Payton era so far? Can he get the Broncos back to what they have been?
JH: They went 8-9 last year, which obviously isn’t a winning record but it was the team’s best finish since Gary Kubiak stepped down following the 2016 season. Between Kubiak and Payton, Denver went through four different coaches in a six-year span. Payton will hopefully provide some stability for the franchise going forward. He got “his guy” in Nix this spring and there’s optimism that Payton and Co. can take another step forward in 2024. We’ll see.
Bo or Kyler?
JR: If you had the choice, would you take Nix or Kyler Murray as he currently is as your starting quarterback? Why?
JH: You’re killing me with this question, Jess! I think you have to answer Murray — he has 65 career starts under his belt and has played well enough to be considered a franchise quarterback, in my opinion. Broncos Country hopes Nix reaches that status, but until we see it demonstrated on the field, it’s just potential, whereas Murray is a known quantity. The only reason one might consider giving the edge to Nix is that he’s more than three years younger than Murray, and Murray has had some injuries. Nix could develop into a better QB than Murray in the future, but at this very moment, you have to go with the proven veteran.
A big thanks to Jon for taking the time to give us some insight to the Broncos!
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