The Denver Broncos are still trying to determine who will succeed Russell Wilson under center.
With just over two weeks remaining until the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 11, Denver still hasn’t locked down a starting quarterback.
Denver coach Sean Payton will soon have to choose if he wants rookie Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson directing the offense. Nix was a first-round pick (12th overall) in this year’s draft, while Stidham is entering his fifth NFL season and Wilson is preparing for his fourth.
Even though there is a bit of a time crunch, Payton isn’t feeling pressured to name a starter just yet.
“It’s new to me relative to a first-round pick and all of that, and yet (in New Orleans) we went through a similar thing when (former Saints quarterback) Drew (Brees) retired and it was Jameis (Winston) and Taysom (Hill),” Payton said Wednesday. “We had a lot of competition.
“I don’t think I stress over it, but I focus on it and pay attention closely to it. The most important thing we do here in the next month — and I say this respectfully to everyone — is find the right 53 (players) and not let a good player out of the building, try not to.”
Stidham is the only one of the trio with reps in Denver’s system, having played in three games (two starts) for the Broncos last season. He completed 40 of 66 passes for 496 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Wilson spent the first three seasons of his career with the New York Jets.
Having more experience than both Wilson and Nix hasn’t kept Stidham out from under the microscope, though.
“I think it’s an ongoing evaluation,” Payton said. “Decisions, how quickly the ball’s coming out. Certainly (Stidham) understands what we’re doing. Then — I went over this last night — do you know what to do? Are you trying to do what’s being coached? How well are you doing it?
“It’s a series of things. I think it’s important for them to understand how they’re being evaluated. I think that applies to (Stidham) as well.”