Tag: Jarrett Stidham

25 players on the roster bubble ahead of Broncos’ preseason finale

These players appear to be on the roster bubble going into the Broncos’ preseason finale.

The Denver Broncos are set to take on the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason finale on Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos are going into that game with 91 players on the roster. After wrapping up preseason, Denver will have until 2 p.m. MT on Tuesday, Aug. 27 to finalize an initial 53-man roster.

Going into the final preseason game, these 25 players appear to be on the roster bubble. Their performance on Sunday could dictate whether or not they end up on the active roster this fall.

1. QB Jarrett Stidham
2. QB Zach Wilson
3. WR Brandon Johnson
4. WR Jalen Virgil
5. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
6. WR David Sills
7. WR Michael Bandy
8. RB Samaje Perine
9. RB Blake Watson
10. RB Tyler Badie
11. OT Matt Peart
12. OL Calvin Throckmorton
13. OL Nick Gargiulo
14. C Sam Mustipher
15. OL Will Sherman
16. OL Oliver Jervis
17. OT Alex Palczewski
18. OT Frank Crum
19. DL Angelo Blackson
20. DL Matt Henningsen
21. OLB Thomas Incoom
22. ILB Levelle Bailey
23. CB Damarri Mathis
24. P Riley Dixon
25. P Trenton Gill

Denver could begin roster cuts as early as Monday. We will track all of the team’s roster moves on Broncos Wire next week.

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15 Broncos players who could play for other teams in Week 1

Samaje Perine headlines this list of Broncos players who could end up playing for other teams in Week 1.

The Denver Broncos are set to play their final preseason game on Sunday, then they will have to make 38 roster moves to get down to a 53-man roster by Tuesday afternoon. Some players the Broncos cut could be picked up by other clubs, and Denver might attempt to make a trade or two as well.

Broncos coach Sean Payton has emphasized this summer that players aren’t just competing with players on Denver’s roster — they’re competing with players at their position across the league.

“You’re competing with 31 other teams at that [position],” Payton said earlier this month. “So it’s important that they are focused really on their job and what they’re doing. … They’re competing with all those players at their position around the league.”

So, which players on the Broncos’ roster could end up playing for other clubs in 2024? Here’s a quick list of players we could see landing elsewhere.

1. QB Jarrett Stidham
2. QB Zach Wilson
3. WR Brandon Johnson
4. WR Jalen Virgil
5. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
6. RB Samaje Perine
7. RB Blake Watson
8. C Sam Mustipher
9. DL Angelo Blackson
10. DL Matt Henningsen
11. OLB Thomas Incoom
12. ILB Levelle Bailey
13. CB Damarri Mathis
14. P Riley Dixon
15. P Trenton Gill

We will track all of Denver’s roster moves — including any potential trades — next week on Broncos Wire.

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5 things to watch for in Broncos’ preseason finale

Here are five things to watch for when the Broncos host the Cardinals in their preseason finale.

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason finale on Sunday afternoon. Here are five things we’ll be watching for as Denver closes out preseason.

1. Zach Wilson vs. Jarrett Stidham: Bo Nix is the starter, now who will be his backup? If the Broncos only carry two QBs, Sunday’s game could play an important role in the decision.

2. Battle for last WR spots: Jalen Virgil Brandon Johnson,  Lil’Jordan Humphrey, David Sills and Michael Bandy have all impressed at times this summer. How many — if any? — of them will make the team? Sunday is one last chance to stand out.

3. Backup offensive linemen: Assuming Luke Wattenberg has the center job secured, the starting lineup on the o-line is set. The backup spots are still up for grabs. Calvin Throckmorton, Nick Gargiulo, Will Sherman and Oliver Jervis are among the contenders at guard. Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski and Frank Crum are fighting for backup spots at tackle.

4. Penalties: Denver committed 13 fouls for 120 yards last week, something coach Sean Payton said he wanted to get cleaned up. We’ll see if the backups can play a clean game.

5. Damarri Mathis: Technically, Mathis has been competing for a starting spot this summer, but we have him on the roster bubble. If he impresses in the Broncos’ preseason finale, Mathis can secure a spot.

After wrapping up preseason, Denver will begin finalizing a 53-man roster. We will track all of the team’s roster cuts on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos vs. Cardinals series history: 30th preseason showdown on deck

Sunday will mark the 30th time the Broncos and Cardinals have faced off in a preseason game.

The Denver Broncos face off against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday morning at Empower Field at Mile High in the third and final preseason contest for both teams, before trimming rosters from 90 to 53.

After naming Bo Nix their starter earlier this week, the Broncos will take a close look at Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson on Sunday to determine who will serve as the backup quarterback in 2024.

Arizona is one of Denver’s most frequent preseason opponents, with Sunday’s matchup marking their 30th preseason showdown. The Cardinals came away with an 18-17 victory in a preseason thriller last summer, but the Broncos lead the all-time preseason series 19-10.

Denver and Arizona have played 12 times in the regular season, with Denver owning a 10-1-1 record all-time. The only time the Cardinals beat the Broncos was in 2010, a 43-13 blowout.

Denver looks to wrap up the preseason on a winning note, with building blocks in place for the future. This game will help solidify the 53-man roster, which needs to be finalized by 2 p.m. MT on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

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Broncos will play Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson in preseason finale

The Broncos will not play starter Bo Nix in their preseason finale. Jarrett Stidham will start the game and then Zach Wilson will finish up.

After naming Bo Nix his starting quarterback earlier this week, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton announced his QB rotation plan on Friday for the team’s upcoming preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

Nix and most of Denver’s starters will sit out the game. Stidham will get 8-12 reps at quarterback first, then Wilson will “get a lot of work” finishing out the game, Payton said.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, the Cardinals plan to start quarterback Clayton Tune on Sunday. Kyler Murray and most of the Cardinals starters will sit out the game.

Payton has not revealed how many quarterbacks the Broncos will carry on the 53-man roster, but he has indicated keeping all three is possible. If the team opts to carry just two QBs, Sunday could be the last game Stidham or Wilson play in Denver.

The Broncos could look to trade one of their backup quarterbacks, or the team could consider carrying all three on the active roster. Either one of Stidham or Wilson would probably be picked up by another team if cut by Denver next week.

Wilson would be subject to the NFL’s waiver wire if he’s cut. Stidham, as a vested veteran, would become a free agent if he’s cut.

Broncos Wire will track all of the team’s roster moves — and any QB developments — when roster cuts begin next week.

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5 Broncos players who could become cap casualties next week

These five veteran players could become cap casualties when the Broncos begin roster cuts next week.

After wrapping up preseason on Sunday, the Denver Broncos will turn their attention toward trimming the roster from 91 players down to a 53-man roster by Tuesday’s deadline.

Before the roster cuts begin next week, here’s a quick look at five veterans who could become cap casualties in 2024.

1. QB Jarrett Stidham: After naming Bo Nix their starting quarterback, the Broncos have to choose between Stidham and Zach Wilson as their QB2. Wilson is three years younger and cheaper than Stidham ($2.7 million compared to $7 million). If the Broncos release Stidham, the team would save $5,000,000.

2. RB Samaje Perine: Denver has a crowded backfield with several young, promising running backs. That could leave Perine as the odd man out. Perine will turn 29 next month the Broncos will save $3,000,000 if he’s cut.

3. CB Tremon Smith: Denver is also crowded at cornerback and the team could save $2,500,000 if Smith is released. Fortunately for Smith, he is a key special teams player, so he might be safe.

4. P Riley Dixon: Trenton Gill is five years younger than Dixon and he’s $1.05 million chapter. If the Broncos release Dixon, the team would save $1,735,000.

5. CB Damarri Mathis: If Smith does make the team, it might come at the expense of Mathis’ roster spot. Pat Surtain, Ja’Quan McMillian, Riley Moss and Kris Abrams-Draine seem to be locks, and Levi Wallace is a steady veteran. Add in Smith and that’s six CBs. If Denver cuts Mathis, it would save $985,000.

We will track all of the team’s roster moves next week on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos QB Bo Nix praises ‘first class’ teammate Jarrett Stidham

“He’s handled the situation with first class,” Bo Nix said of Jarrett Stidham. “I respect everything that he has been able to do.”

Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham were competing against each other for the Denver Broncos‘ starting job this summer, but that hasn’t stopped them from forming a good relationship as teammates.

After being named the starting quarterback on Wednesday, Nix took time to praise Stidham — and Zach Wilson — for how they went about handling the QB battle during training camp and preseason.

“We have a very mature room,” Nix said. “They’ve been through a lot themselves. First of all, with ‘Stiddy,’ he started behind one of the greatest ever. That is where his process began as a rookie like me behind the greatest of all time. He’s teaching me things that he learned and picked up at a young age that not many people get to experience.

“He’s handled the situation with first class. I respect everything that he has been able to do. He’s battled through a lot and has been given different situations, but he still shows up and gives us his best. That is going to pay dividends in the long run with me and being able to sit behind a guy like that and watch, learn, follow his routine and follow his process because he has been around some greats already.”

Nix had praise for Wilson as well.

“With Zach, he’s been there and done that,” Nix said. “He started as a rookie. There is a lot that I can learn from him and a lot that he has already taught me. Having those two in the room with me on a day-to-day basis is going to be huge.

“I would be really dumb not to listen to those guys and not take what they have learned, already been through and the experiences that they share. So hopefully the good happens again, and the bad doesn’t happen again.”

Nix, 24, is set to start for the Broncos when they go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. It remains to be seen how many quarterbacks Denver will carry on the 53-man roster, but whether it’s Stidham or Wilson (or both), Nix will be happy to have them by his side going into his first season in the NFL.

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Broncos haven’t updated depth chart ahead of preseason finale

The Broncos have not yet updated their depth chart, which might be a sign we’re not getting another update until after roster cuts.

The Denver Broncos have not updated their depth chart ahead of their preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

The biggest change, of course, should be Bo Nix being listed as QB1 after he was named the starting quarterback on Wednesday. The Broncos still haven’t updated their “unofficial” depth chart, though, perhaps because coach Sean Payton is not yet ready to declare starters in other position battles.

“We have some tough decisions as we get into the roster,” Payton said Wednesday. “I don’t want to get into all the other roster battles — that’s not for today — but Bo will start.”

Following the preseason finale, Denver will have until Aug. 27 to finalize a 53-man roster. While we wait for the roster cuts to begin, here’s the depth chart the Broncos have released for the final week of preseason:

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Tim Patrick Marvin Mims Brandon Johnson Phillip Dorsett Jalen Virgil Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart Demontrey Jacobs
LG Ben Powers Calvin Throckmorton Nick Gargiulo
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth Sam Mustipher
RG Quinn Meinerz Will Sherman Oliver Jervis
RT Mike McGlinchey Alex Palczewski Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Greg Dulcich Lucas Krull Nate Adkins Hunter Kampmoyer Thomas Yassmin
WR Courtland Sutton Josh Reynolds Lil’Jordan Humphrey David Sills Michael Bandy Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Samaje Perine Jaleel McLaughlin Tyler Badie Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton
QB Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson Bo Nix

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Angelo Blackson Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach Matt Henningsen Jordan Miller
DE John Franklin-Myers Elijah Garcia Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Thomas Incoom Jonah Elliss
WLB Baron Browning Nik Bonitto Durell Nchami Dondrea Tillman
ILB Alex Singleton Justin Strnad Andre Smith
ILB Jonas Griffith
OR
Cody Barton		 Levelle Bailey Alec Mock
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith Kris Abrams-Draine
RCB Damarri Mathis
OR
Riley Moss		 Art Green Kaleb Hayes
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian Reese Taylor Quinton Newsome
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner Tanner McCalister Omar Brown
S Brandon Jones Devon Key Keidron Smith

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz Trenton Gill
P Riley Dixon OR Trenton Gill
H Riley Dixon OR Trenton Gill
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Michael Bandy

Sunday’s preseason game against the Cardinals will be nationally televised on CBS. After that, the Broncos will prepare to go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season on Sunday, Sept. 8.

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Sean Payton nonchalantly announced starter decision to QBs before practice

“We’re getting ready to practice, and that was it,” Sean Payton said. “We didn’t have cake and candles or anything like that.” 

Before practice on Wednesday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton gathered his three quarterbacks together and told them Bo Nix won the starting job, beating out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson after two weeks of preseason.

“Right out here on the practice field before practice [I told them],” Payton said. “I just grabbed each one of them. I didn’t want to read about this in the national media before I spoke to you guys [local media].”

By telling his QBs right before practice, there were no opportunities for the news to break during practice. After the session ended, Payton first broke the news to military members visiting practice, then he met with local media members and officially announced the news.

The coach handled it nonchalantly.

“Yeah, he walked up and said that he was going to tell you guys this afternoon [and said], ‘Let’s have a good practice,'” Nix recalled.

How did the rookie quarterback react?

“He smiled and he was good,” Payton said. “We’re getting ready to practice, and that was it. We didn’t have cake and candles or anything like that.” 

Nix eventually winning the job always felt like a formality, but Payton wanted him to earn it this summer.

“[E]verything in this league is earned,” Payton said. “The minute that there’s someone that has something that’s not earned, that can affect and impact your locker room. It really can. I’ve told the story with you guys about other positions, guys that were drafted that were released and free agents that made it. These guys see it.

“Now, we’re rooting for all of them. We really are. Why wouldn’t we? We want to see all these young players have success, and yet there’s still that element of show, earn and demonstrate. You guys obviously have spent a lot of time not just talking directly with the quarterbacks, and there’s a confidence level.”

This is the outcome Payton wanted to see after using a first-round draft pick to select Nix in April. The coach wasn’t going to force the decision or hand the job to Nix right as he walked through the door. Nix had to win the job this summer and he answered the bell.

“I just didn’t want to hurry it,” Payton said of his decision. “Teams handle these things differently. There’s certain things that I believe in and we kind of set out a plan. I’m pleased with how he’s playing and it’s much easier to make a decision like that and much more difficult maybe if he wasn’t having this—you guys understand where I’m [going]. We got a chance to see it. That’s most important for the locker room, I think.”

After completing 23-of-30 passes for 205 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers, Nix as QB1 was an easy decision for the Broncos, and his teammates witnessed him win the job. That’s important for the locker room, and that’s why Payton held a quarterback competition this summer.

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Sean Payton not yet ready to announce other QB plans

Bo Nix has been named the Broncos starter, will he play on Sunday? TBD. How many QBs will make the 53-man roster? “We’ll see,” Payton said.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton named Bo Nix his starting quarterback on Wednesday. After the coach broke the news, Payton was quickly asked if Nix will play in the team’s preseason finale on Sunday and what the rotation will be for Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

“We’re going to talk about Sunday [later], and I’m not leaning towards anything else,” Payton said. “There is no other announcement today.”

OK, we’ll hear about the QB rotation later in the week. How about how many QBs will be carried on the 53-man roster?

“We’ll see,” Payton said. 

QB1 has been named. QB2 news will have to wait.

As for whether or not Nix will play against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, Payton later hinted that some starters will be rested.

“We’re going to meet today at 2 [p.m.],” Payton said Wednesday. “There will be some guys that we hold out. I have a sheet really of every one of these players with every total snap they’ve played [against] Indianapolis and then Green Bay.

“So there are some guys — veteran starters maybe — that don’t have the snaps, and so they may see some time on Sunday. Then there are some guys that have had a lot of snaps where I’ll just be real mindful of. So we’ll have a better feel for that as the week goes on.”

Payton will speak again on Friday. He’s probably not going to announce how many QBs will make the 53-man roster, but we should learn on Friday if Nix will play on Sunday and how Stidham and Wilson will split reps. Check back later in the week, Broncos Country.

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