Sean Payton labels Broncos QB room as 'orphaned dogs' as amid starter battle (original) (raw)

Bo Nix, Zach Wilson, and Jarrett Stidham are all competing to become Denver Broncos starting quarterback, and head coach Sean Payton has described the trio as 'orphaned dogs'

Sean Payton has three equal candidates to choose from.

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is dealing with a rare situation as he doesn't know which of his three quarterbacks will become his starter for Week 1 next season.

The destructive departure of Russell Wilson has left the organization without a clear plan, but their mixture of quarterback experience gives Payton flexibility to make a decision closer to the season start. First up is Bo Nix, an exciting Oregon product who was selected 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Second is Zach Wilson who is entering his fourth NFL season after previously being selected second overall by the New York Jets but is looking to revive his career after a tough start to life in the league. The most senior of the group is Jarrett Stidham, a 27-year-old who has only started four NFL games during his time at the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and now the Broncos.

All three quarterbacks have a real chance of proving themselves through OTAs, summer camp, and preseason games, with neither option holding a significant advantage in the race. Payton was asked about the unique quarterback room and provided a comedic label for his group.

"It's kind of the orphan group," Payton said Friday. "They're all orphaned dogs. They've come from somewhere, but they're doing good. It's a good room."

The Broncos are dealing with a similar issue to the one Bill Belichick struggled with over in New England, before he parted ways with the organization and handed over the reins to Jerod Mayo. Since Tom Brady left the Patriots they've not had a dominant franchise starter, even if Mac Jones has tried his best.

Denver has struggled since Peyton Manning retired in 2015, which also marks their last trip to the postseason. Nix was the first quarterback they'd selected in the first round of the draft since Paxton Lynch in 2016, although his NFL career ended after just four starts and zero wins.

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Bo Nix was selected 12th overall and could become their franchise starter. (

Image:

2024 Getty Images)

There appears to be more faith in Nix, especially as they selected his Oregon teammate Troy Franklin later in the draft as a new option at wide receiver. Stidham will be hoping he gets the opportunity after filling in for Russell Wilson at the end of last season, but Zach Wilson also arrived with hopes of becoming No. 1.

"They come from different systems," Payton said when analyzing his quarterbacks. "One is coming from college. One is coming from two or three NFL systems, and the other is coming from one system. They're all in a race to learn this system. I would say -- you guys watched the practice -- they're doing well."

Payton has offered no hints over who is leading the race currently, and perhaps the head coach doesn't know himself at this moment in time. Their draft activity suggests Nix, Wilson's trade from New York suggests it could be him, and their decision to retain Stidham also gives him a fair chance.

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