Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton wants to keep the quarterback competition open. He has named Jarrett Stidham as the starter for the game at Indianapolis this weekend, but he also announced that rookie Bo Nix will start next week against the Green Bay Packers.
Payton explained on Friday that Stidham will start because he has been with the team for a year and played in the last two games of the previous season when Russell Wilson was benched.
“I just think right now certainly he’s been here, his experience,” Payton said. “Next week, it’ll be Nix. We’re focused on this game, and I would say just with where we’re at.”
Payton mentioned that there might be a chance for Nix to play with the starting lineup on Sunday if the offensive linemen and other players haven’t reached their “pitch count” by the time Nix gets into the game.
The Broncos will also have a joint practice with the Packers next week before their game at Empower Field at Mile High, where Nix will have a supportive crowd.
The Broncos picked Nix from Oregon with the 12th overall pick in the NFL draft. He is the first rookie Payton has put in a competition for the starting quarterback position in his NFL coaching career.
Nix, Stidham, and Zach Wilson started the camp in a three-way competition for the starting job, but after the first week of training camp, it has been just Nix and Stidham sharing snaps with the starters.
If Nix becomes the starter, he will be the 14th quarterback to start for Denver since Peyton Manning retired in 2016.
Payton did not want to discuss his plans for other players on Sunday but mentioned it is too soon for defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike to play. Uwazurike came back from a yearlong gambling suspension this week.
“Fair question. I think it’s a tick early. I think our plan is to have him work out, travel. We can do some conditioning prior to the game. Then next week at this time, look at him getting … a certain amount of plays,” Payton said.
