Forward of coaching camp, the Broncos have a quarterback who spent a season in Sean Payton‘s offense and one other the crew drafted within the first spherical. Zach Wilson looms as a wild card.
As Jarrett Stidham enjoys a bonus from spending 2023 in Denver and Bo Nix prone to begin the bulk (barring harm) of the Broncos’ video games this season, Wilson sits in an uncommon place. The Broncos and Jets agreed on a wage compromise to facilitate a commerce finalized days earlier than the draft, however the former No. 2 general choose shouldn’t be a lock to safe a spot on the crew’s 53-man roster.
Stidham and Wilson might be vying for one roster spot and The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider notes the latter has some floor to shut if he’s to be Denver’s backup to start the season. The Denver Submit’s Parker Gabriel additionally views Wilson as in third place on this competitors exiting minicamp.
By way of arm expertise, Wilson did reveal a bonus over the opposite two Denver QBs throughout on-field exercises. This has not precisely been the BYU alum’s challenge throughout his NFL profession, with a stunning professional day resulting in the Jets deciding to pick out him second general and commerce Sam Darnold.
Wilson shortly revealed himself to be a poor decision-maker and with inconsistent mechanics in New York, resulting in a number of 2022 benchings and one other demotion — for a participant (Tim Boyle) Robert Saleh admitted was much less gifted – late final season.
Payton mentioned (through ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold) he doesn’t have a tough deadline — earlier than sport week, that’s — on deciding if Nix, Stidham or Wilson will likely be his Week 1 starter. A current report pointed to the job being Nix’s to lose.
Contemplating the Broncos’ funding within the current Oregon standout, it could be beautiful if the No. 12 general choose was not within the lineup early within the season. As of now, Stidham seems to have the higher shot among the many veterans of delaying Nix’s debut.
Payton repeatedly stored two quarterbacks on his energetic roster in New Orleans, doing so earlier than the NFL re-implemented the emergency third-QB rule. The league additional growing flexibility for groups concerning their QB3 spot retains the door open for the loser of the Wilson-Stidham competitors to finish up on the observe squad. Although, choose might definitely eye the loser for an active-roster position.
Wilson would should be uncovered to waivers if lower, whereas Stidham is a vested veteran. If the Broncos waive Wilson, they might be hit with $2.7M in useless cash. If nobody claims Wilson, he might conceivably be an choice because the Broncos’ observe squad arm/emergency passer. That will clearly symbolize one other setback for a once-coveted prospect.
The Broncos, after all, are in 12 months 1 of a record-setting useless cash course of stemming from their Russell Wilson launch. A minor assure for Zach Wilson won’t transfer the needle an excessive amount of when Payton decides on his backup.
Stidham is connected to a two-year, $10M deal, however simply $1M of his 2024 base wage ($4.49M) is assured. As a vested vet, Stidham will see the remainder of that cash turn out to be locked in simply earlier than the season.
Denver buying and selling one of many veterans, whereas including one other QB to be its emergency choice on the P-squad, additionally would appear to be on the desk. The preseason’s conclusion has been a commerce window for a few years.
Stidham or Wilson seeing notable enjoying time this 12 months will imply one thing has gone improper, as Nix is 24 years previous and set the Division I-FBS file for quarterback begins.
Coaching camp and the preseason will convey extra necessary reps for Wilson, however after being paid to go away the Jets, the erratic expertise — who arrived after the Broncos’ offseason program had begun — seems to be to be falling behind together with his new crew.