Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix made a strong impression during his preseason debut, completing 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown in the game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. He successfully led Denver on four scoring drives, which included two touchdowns and two interceptions, while impressively avoiding being sacked. His competitor, Jarrett Stidham, had a brief outing, finishing 4 of 7 for 37 yards with one interception in just two series.
Zach Wilson took over for Nix in the third quarter, primarily working with the third-team offense. The competition for the starting quarterback position appears to be primarily between Stidham and Nix. Given that Nix was selected 12th overall in this year’s NFL draft, he is seen as the frontrunner to secure the starting role.
Head coach Sean Payton emphasized the importance of performance and decision-making for his quarterbacks during preseason. “I want them to play fast,” he said. “There are going to be mistakes, and we’ll correct them. … These guys are playing through their progressions, and they’re doing a good job with their reads. When you get into real games, you get a better feel for the pass rush and all the things that come with playing that position.” Nix’s performance on Sunday indicated he could be closer to earning the starting job as the preseason progresses.