Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said some of the decisions regarding his starters are “easy” and have already been made, but the quarterback battle will continue for at least another week.
Veteran Jarrett Stidham started the preseason opener at Indianapolis, but his two possessions were thwarted by a turnover and a penalty. First-round pick Bo Nix then entered the game and impressed while completing 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Nix is slated to start against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, two days after the teams take part in a joint practice. Both will be critical tests in the eyes of Payton, who was impressed by Nix’s debut.
“His decision making was good (against the Colts),” Payton said. “I felt he was comfortable in the pocket. I thought his locations were good. The No. 1 thing to do at quarterback is lead your team and we scored.
“There’s two plays where I think he can set his feet. He’s kind of backing up a little and we can clean that up, but I liked the production with his group while he was in there. Ultimately, that’s their job.”
It appears to be a two-man race, although Payton also complimented Zach Wilson, who completed 10 of 13 passes for 117 yards in mop-up duty.
“The whole group as a whole — and I’m talking the three of them — we didn’t have any sacks. There were a lot of positives,” Payton said.
While Nix will start on Sunday, the Packers are expected to rest most of their starters. That makes the practice Friday equally as important in the evaluation process.
“Last week, ‘Stiddy’ took the week’s worth of (No.) 1’s and then into the game. (We are) kind of following that same process that we’ve done all the way up until now,” Payton said about this week’s plan for the quarterbacks. “All three of these guys are going to get a ton of work this week and a lot of work against Green Bay.
“At times, we may be with a certain group against a different group at Green Bay. We can’t control that and I don’t think (Packers coach) Matt (LeFleur) or I are really concerned with that. I don’t think there’s a big change.”
Payton talked at length on Wednesday about Wilson’s poise and experience that were on display against the Colts, but he also knows the burning question from fans and the media is whether Nix will open the season as the starter.
“The focus on Bo, understandably so, is when you draft a quarterback in the first round — every one of us recognizes the significance of getting that position settled and having (someone at) that position who we feel like we can win with,” Payton said. “When that is unsettled, it’s tough on your team.
“It’s a good group to work with and I know the offensive coaches feel that way. I feel that way. I like where we’re at right now and that’s encouraging for our team. Because when that’s unsettled and maybe not as far along, then there’s a lot of things you can do well and yet the team sees there’s a ceiling maybe on what you can do.”
After the game Sunday, the Broncos will close their preseason schedule at home against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 25. Denver opens its regular season at Seattle on Sept. 8.
–Field Level Media
