Broncos' Bo Nix to Get 1st NFL Preseason Start vs. Packers amid QB1 Duel with Stidham

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix will get his first preseason start on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Sean Payton said Friday.

Quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson will each get playing time after Nix on Sunday, Payton added.

Stidham started the Broncos' preseason opener over the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, going 4-of-7 for 37 yards and an interception.

Nix impressed in relief with 15-of-21 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown against the Colts, and could gain an edge in the race for QB1 with a strong performance on Sunday.

"We're going to see Bo starting out in Phase 1, Stiddy in Phase 2, and then Zach in Phase 3," Payton told reporters Friday.

Payton said earlier this week on the Up & Adams Show that he would not name a starting quarterback until he could confirm the starters for all positions.

"The band's still playing, they have one more song to go, two more songs," Payton said. "In other words, I'm not naming the starting cornerback between Riley (Moss) and (Damarri) Mathis. Meaning, I'm not doing that at these other positions."

But the head coach confirmed that the second preseason game would be "important," and that the team was "close" to making a decision on starters.

Payton previously told reporters that Nix would get most reps with the Broncos' first-team offense during the week heading into the Packers game, setting the rookie up for his first preseason start.

Nix, the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NFL draft out of Oregon, was initially expected to compete with both Stidham and Wilson for the starting job. He was listed third behind both of the team's more experienced NFL quarterbacks on the Broncos' first unofficial depth chart published prior to training camp.

After Nix led the Broncos offense to score on four of five possessions in his preseason debut, however, it looks like the 2024 first-round pick could be set to climb the depth chart.

Whether he is committing to Nix or turning to last season's backup in Stidham, Payton will need to make a decision prior to the Broncos' Sept. 8 regular season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.