The Broncos quarterback room is drama free heading into the start of training camp

Taking a look at the Denver Broncos quarterback position as we near the start of training camp

For the first time since Peyton Manning, the Broncos’ quarterback room is all but set heading into training camp. Second-year quarterback Bo Nix is coming off an impressive rookie season and is the Broncos’ franchise quarterback. Returning to the team is veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham, the longest-tenured quarterback on the team, who will once again serve as Bo Nix’s backup this season. At third-string, you have former Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who signed with the team this offseason and will provide some depth at the quarterback position.

That is it. There is no drama, no major questions, or open competition happening here.

Last season, we saw the Broncos have a three-man open competition at the position between Nix, Stidham, and Zach Wilson. Before that, we had seen multiple quarterback competitions during training camp where we tracked “which player won today’s practice”. That is all a thing of the past because Bo Nix is the Broncos’ franchise quarterback.

Let’s take a look at the Broncos’ quarterbacks and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.

Quarterbacks

Bo Nix – Starter

Bo Nix is coming off a historic rookie season for the Broncos and is now looking to build on that in year two. He is locked in as the Broncos’ franchise quarterback and has full support from the front office, coaching staff, and locker room. So far, the Broncos ‘ second-year quarterback has looked fully in command of the offense this offseason and looks more comfortable than he did as a rookie. He’s moving faster, getting in and out of the huddle faster, processing faster, and making more and more plays as a passer.

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Broncos also added some weapons for him this offseason. They signed veteran tight end Evan Engram, who will fill that ‘Joker’ role in Payton’s offense and be a receiving threat in the passing game. On top of that, they drafted wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round to join a wide receiver room that is full of breakout candidates. Marvin Mims will look to continue the play we saw from him last season, while Troy Franklin has been making explosive plays throughout OTAs and minicamp. The team also improved the run game, which will make life easier for Nix. They drafted explosive running back R.J. Harvey in the second round and later signed veteran J.K. Dobbins. The two will split carries and give the Broncos a talented and dynamic ground game that should open things up in the passing game for Bo Nix.

I believe we are going to see Bo Nix have a big year and lead the Broncos on a deep postseason run.

Jarrett Stidham – Backup

The Broncos re-signed veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham this offseason, and he will return as the backup quarterback for the team this upcoming season. Stidham was one of the first additions Payton made to the team after he was hired as the Head Coach and is the longest tenured quarterback in that room. He knows the offense, has the trust of Payton to run his offense if needed, and has a good relationship with Bo Nix.

Stidham is a solid overall backup who has some starting experience under his belt. He started two games for the Broncos during the Russell Wilson benching drama and held his own in the quarterback competition last summer. While being an unspectacular backup option, he checks a lot of boxes you look for in a backup quarterback and gives the Broncos a solid and trusted option if needed.

Sam Ehlinger – Third String

The Broncos signed former Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger during free agency to be their third-string quarterback earlier this offseason. The former Texas star quarterback will replace Zach Wilson as the Broncos’ third-string quarterback after he signed with the Miami Dolphins to be their backup quarterback.

Ehlinger started 3 games for the Colts in 2022, so he does have some limited starting experience. He also brings some rushing upside to the position, and we will likely see that throughout the preseason. The team has not brought in another quarterback, so Ehlinger, for now at least, seems pretty locked in as the Broncos’ third-string quarterback

Final Thoughts

For the first time since Peyton Manning retired, the Denver Broncos will enter training camp with zero questions about their quarterback room. Bo Nix is their starter and franchise quarterback, Jarrett Stidham is the veteran backup, and Sam Ehlinger is the third-string quarterback.

No more tracking to see “which QB won today’s practice, no quarterback competition, and none of the usual quarterback discourse we have had the past decade. It will be a nice change of pace when the Broncos hit the practice field for training camp here in a few short weeks.

Overall, I like the Broncos’ quarterback room. Nix is the Franchise Quarterback and I believe on the verge of a big year for the team. Stidham is the veteran backup who knows the offense and can run it smoothly if needed, while Ehlinger gives them some upside as a third-string guy.