Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham Expected To Make Broncos' Roster
The Denver Broncos are expected to carry backup quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham on their initial 53-man roster, according to comments from head coach Sean Payton following Sunday's preseason finale. In discussing the quarterback room of Wilson, Stidham, and rookie Bo Nix, Payton said, "I see the three of them making it." Nix has already been declared the Broncos' starter, and it sounds like both Wilson and Stidham will keep their jobs, too. It's unclear which signal-caller will be given the backup designation and which quarterback will serve as the emergency third-stringer on gameday, though it's worth noting that Stidham appeared to have the edge on Wilson prior to Sunday's preseason contest. Regardless of the exact depth chart, Nix is the only Broncos quarterback worth considering for a roster spot in fantasy football.
Jarrett Stidham Runs For A Touchdown, Throws Interception
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham went 7-for-11 for 65 yards, no touchdowns and an interception that was batted into the air at the line of scrimmage, while adding a nine-yard touchdown run in Sunday night's 27-2 preseason win at home over the Green Bay Packers. After underwhelming in his start in the preseason opener last week against the Colts, Stidham was outplayed by rookie first-rounder Bo Nix yet again. Nix started this one and went 8-for-9 for 80 yards and a touchdown. Stidham began the offseason as the slight favorite to win the QB competition over Nix, solely based on his experience in head coach Sean Payton's offense from 2023. However, through training camp so far and two preseason contests, things have changed. Nix is now considered the favorite to win the starting gig under center heading into Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, barring something crazy happening these next few weeks.
Jarrett Stidham Sees Limited Action In Preseason Opener
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham played in only two offensive series in Sunday's preseason opener at Lucas Oil Stadium against the hosting Indianapolis Colts and went 4-for-7 for 37 yards and one interception. The interception wasn't his fault, as running back Samaje Perine bobbled a catchable pass that led to the turnover. It was a limited sample size for Stidham, who opened the preseason listed as No. 1 on the QB depth chart ahead of rookie first-rounder Bo Nix, but Nix thoroughly impressed following Stidham on Sunday and may have taken one step closer to winning the QB competition in Denver. Stidham has more experience in head coach Sean Payton's offense from 2023, but Nix was the 12th overall pick in this year's NFL draft and looked much more impressive in the preseason opener. The 28-year-old Stidham will need to do more next week against the Green Bay Packers at home if he wants to hold off Nix.
Jarrett Stidham To Start Preseason Opener On Sunday
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced on Friday that quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start the team's preseason opener on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium against the hosting Indianapolis Colts. Rookie first-rounder Bo Nix will start the second preseason game next week in Denver versus the Green Bay Packers. Nix will also appear after Stidham leaves the game on Sunday, with Zach Wilson following Nix. Stidham opened training camp atop the team's unofficial depth chart and has had the edge to win the starting job to open the 2024 regular season, mainly because of his experience in Payton's offense from a year ago. Stidham and Nix have split first-team reps at camp, and if Nix outperforms Stidham in the preseason, there remains a chance that the rookie could start in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. Whoever wins the job in Denver will be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues, at best.
Broncos List Jarrett Stidham As The Starter On First Depth Chart
The Denver Broncos are listing quarterback Jarrett Stidham as their starter on their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. Rookie first-rounder Bo Nix is listed as third string behind Zach Wilson. For context, the Broncos listed all of their rookies last on the depth chart at their respective positions, so fantasy managers that took the plunge on Nix in dynasty/keeper drafts shouldn't be too concerned. The real competition this summer for the Week 1 starting job under center appears to be between Stidham and Nix, with Stidham being the favorite, mostly because of his experience in the system. Head coach Sean Payton isn't in a rush to name the team's Week 1 starter. Either way, this is a situation for fantasy managers to avoid in 2024, even in two-QB superflex formats. All three QBs are expected to play in the team's preseason opener this Sunday versus the Indianapolis Colts on the road.
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham has an obvious advantage in the quarterback competition with rookie first-rounder Bo Nix and former first-rounder Zach Wilson as he enters his second year in head coach Sean Payton's offense. "He's doing well," Payton said of Stidham. "Clearly, within the framework within what we're doing, he is much further along than in Year 1 in the transition. I'd say he's looked really sharp during this offseason program. [He is] real decisive. I think the leadership he is able to provide there, and there's good competition." Stidham may be ahead now, but Nix could quickly and easily close the gap if he looks good in training camp this summer. And it's not like Stidham has much experience in the NFL to begin with. Fantasy managers in single-year formats would be wise to avoid Denver's QB situation.
Jarrett Stidham Prepared To Compete For Starting Role
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham is embracing the team's three-man QB competition this offseason between himself, former first-round Zach Wilson and this year's first-rounder Bo Nix. "I'm not going to just sit down and let someone else walk on in here -- I'm going to work my butt off to get the job. I'm super excited about it," Stidham said. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $10 million deal prior to last season and could now be considered a mentor who could be an upset winner of the starting job this summer. Stidham, Wilson and Nix will get an equal split of the work during the offseason program, but we probably won't have a better sense of who is in the lead in the competition until training camp. Stidham has the advantage of knowing the offense from a season ago, but even if he's the starter in Week 1, he'll be on a short leash and will be a low-upside, low-end QB2 in fantasy.
Jarrett Stidham Says He's More Comfortable In The Offense
As he competes with both rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix and former first-rounder Zach Wilson in offseason workouts, Denver Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham said he's much more comfortable running the offense in his second year with the team. Stidham was with head coach Sean Payton a year ago and will have an advantage over both Nix and Wilson in that area. His four career starts in the NFL have come in the last two seasons with the Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. "I'm not out there thinking as much, I'm just out there playing free and playing more confident, which is great. It's been good," Stidham said. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the team's Week 1 starter after training camp and the preseason, but if it's Stidham, he'll probably be no more than a low-end QB2 in fantasy. Even if Stidham wins the job to begin the year, it would be a surprise if Nix doesn't make starts at some point in 2024.
For now, quarterback Jarrett Stidham is the Denver Broncos' potential starter in 2024, but head coach Sean Payton declined to say Stidham was in the top position for the job. "He's definitely competing to be the starter," Payton said. "I don't think we have a term 'driver's seat' really. But he is going to compete for that position. I know he's anxious and excited to do that, and I'm sure there will be other candidates that will be competing with him." Stidham and Ben DiNucci are the only QBs on the current roster after the team released Russell Wilson this offseason, but the Broncos are a candidate to trade up in the first round of next month's draft for a potential franchise signal-caller. Stidham has flashed some potential late the last two years with the Raiders and Broncos, but not enough for him to be outright named the starter this offseason.
Jarrett Stidham Could Get First Shot At Starting Gig
The Denver Broncos are going to evaluate all of the top quarterback prospects in this year's draft class, but if they do not trade up (they currently hold the 12th overall pick) within the first round of April's draft to take a QB, Jarrett Stidham would get the first shot to be their starter under center for the 2024 season. There are some in the Broncos building that are intrigued by what Stidham has to offer at the position, but it's clear that he isn't considered the long-term answer at QB. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wouldn't be surprised if Denver signed another veteran in free agency to compete with Stidham this summer. Because of the salary cap predicament the Broncos are in in 2024, they don't really have the funds necessary to go after Kirk Cousins, for instance. Stidham threw for 496 yards, two TDs and a pick in the final two games of the 2023 season and would come with little fantasy upside if he's their starter in 2024.
Jarrett Stidham
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