The Broncos appear to have narrowed their quarterback competition to two contenders. As expected, trade acquisition Zach Wilson lost out on first-team reps during training camp this week, increasing the attention shown to incumbent Jarrett Stidham and first-round rookie Bo Nix.

The latter has long been expected to take the reins at some point in 2024, as Day 1 passers often see regular season action at some point in their rookie campaigns. Nix, 24, is a veteran of 61 starts in college and is better positioned than most to handle first-team duties right away. At a minimum, the Auburn and Oregon alum will not start the year occupying the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.

Nix is still a strong candidate to earn the Week 1 nod, though. The 12th overall pick “appears to have edged past” Stidham in recent practices, Mike Klis of 9News writes. Both signal-callers received first-team reps, but Klis notes the rotation has left the door wide open for Nix to continue impressing Sean Payton and the coaching staff. Indications from June pointed to him being the favorite in the long run, so this latest update comes as little surprise.

Stidham made a pair of starts to close out the 2023 season, Payton’s first as head coach in Denver. The soon-to-be 28-year-old took over once it became clear Russell Wilson‘s tenure in the Mile High City had realistically come to a close. The longtime Seahawk’s release paved the way for multiple additions, and Wilson’s arrival came shortly before the decision to select Nix – one Payton confirmed was the Broncos’ Plan A all along.

Improved play on offense will be critical for Denver in 2024, and more efficiency in the passing game is needed for the team to return to the postseason. Plenty of time remains for Nix’s potential to be realized at the NFL level, as he could be retained through 2028 via the fifth-year option. The Broncos’ evaluation period before a decision on that front could still very well begin as early as Week 1 of his rookie season.