Broncos to Start QB Jarrett Stidham in Preseason Opener

For Sunday’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, Jarrett Stidham will take the field as the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Coach Sean Payton shared that Stidham is expected to play around 15 to 20 plays. Following Stidham, rookie Bo Nix will lead the team in their second preseason game on Aug. 18 against the Green Bay Packers. Nix will be the second quarterback to play against the Colts, with Zach Wilson as the third-stringer also seeing some action. Payton emphasized Stidham’s experience as a key factor in his decision to start him over Nix on Sunday. The 28-year-old Stidham took over as the starter for the final two games of last season after Russell Wilson was benched. Payton stated, “I just think, right now, certainly he’s been here, his experience.” Stidham has a record of 1-3 in NFL starts, having passed for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his career. Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 draft, had an impressive college season at Oregon, throwing for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and three interceptions. As for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9, Payton has yet to finalize the starting quarterback decision. –Field Level Media