The Denver Broncos have an exciting three-way quarterback battle about to head their way when training camp begins later this month. A team insider thinks Zach Wilson has more talent than the No. 12 pick in the draft, Bo Nix.
Bo Nix is the Denver Broncos’ future
Regardless of Wilson’s abilities to start the season, Nix is the Broncos’ plan to be the long-term starter. However, Wilson, Nix, and Jarrett Stidham will have a chance to earn the starting job this season as Nix transitions to the NFL.
As previously discussed on GH, Nix had a solid spring for the Broncos:
From the sounds of it, during broncos OTA practices this spring, Nix has been ahead of schedule.
“Good,” Payton told reporters, via ESPN. “He’s farther along than most would be. We’re talking about a player who’s played 61 games [in college]. He’s extremely smart. He’s picked it up very quickly.”
Zach Wilson is the Broncos most talented QB
According to Nick Kosmider with The Athletic, in his second offseason in Denver, Stidham looked the most comfortable running the offense of any of the quarterbacks. However, Wilson showed the most talent at the position, but he has a lot to learn this offseason:
Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, has the biggest arm and the most sheer talent of the three, but also brings the baggage of an underwhelming resumé with the New York Jets (12-21 as a starter in three seasons) and showed during the offseason program that he’ll need time to learn Payton’s system.
The Broncos gave each of their three quarterbacks the same amount of reps at OTAs. They can’t do that through August because they need their QB1 to get the majority of reps with the first team before Week 1.
The Broncos should know who their QB1 is early in the preseason
Kosmider thinks the Broncos have a target date to determine their starting quarterback:
The Aug. 11 preseason opener in Indianapolis seems like a natural inflection point. The staff needs to use that game and the dozen practices preceding it to narrow the race.
Do the Broncos go with talent and hope Wilson gets more comfortable with the offense? Do they go with the player who knows Payton’s scheme the best? Or do they go with the rookie quarterback they hope will harness his talent and will eventually learn the offense?
Those are tough choices for Payton’s coaching staff coming off a disappointing 2023 season.
