Bo Nix may be the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback when the regular season begins, but he may not be the starting quarterback when the Broncos begin their preseason schedule with a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Broncos released their first depth chart on Tuesday and Nix is listed at No. 3.
Jarrett Stidham is first, followed by Zach Wilson and Nix, the Broncos’ first-round pick (No. 12) in the 2024 NFL draft. Stidham reportedly has played well during the first three weeks of training camp and was ahead of Nix.
But how is Wilson, who was dropped out of the three-quarterback rotation at camp this week, ahead of Nix? Denver coach Sean Payton said rookies don’t get any love on the first depth chart. Every rookie is buried on the first depth chart. “I’m not ready for a depth chart,’’ Payton told reporters Tuesday.
“But I have to have a depth chart (submitted to the league) so it’s easy to push the (rookie) players to the back of the line. ..
. I’m not trying to send messages at all. Rookies are at the back of the line.
” Stidham has the luxury of having played in Payton’s system in 2023. He started the final two games of the regular season after Payton benched Russell Wilson. Stidham’s experience showed early in training camp, but Nix has reportedly gained ground and may have pulled even of slightly ahead of Stidham this week.
Still, it’s Stidham, not Nix, at the top of the depth chart. “Like I said, there wasn’t a lot of thought,” Payton told reporters. “I mean, we just got the depth chart out (Tuesday) and that’s it.
And that’s where we’re at now.” If the depth chart remains the same going into the preseason game, it’s likely Stidham will start. Nix will play, but when is the big question.
Payton didn’t reveal any hints on Tuesday..
