Things don't look good for Zach Wilson in the Denver Broncos quarterback competition unless you buy into the coachspeak that Sean Payton is feeding the media. There was already one telling sign in training camp.
Since camp began, the Broncos had stuck to a schedule of giving each quarterback a day with the first-team offense. Jarrett Stidham got the first crack at it, then first-round pick Bo Nix, and then Wilson, in that order. But on Tuesday, that rotation was changed.
After Nix had his chance with the starters on Monday, it went back to Stidham on Tuesday. That can only mean one thing — that Wilson may already be eliminated from the competition. Well, not according to Payton:
Broncos training camp QB rotation has changed.
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) July 30, 2024
Zach Wilson runs with the 3s in practice he’s scheduled with first team. Jarrett Stidham ran with 1s today. Bo Nix yesterday.
Sean Payton: “No news to announce there. I know you’re looking for it.” pic.twitter.com/bT3k05cEwg
It would benefit no one for Payton to state that right now, so why would he?
Is Zach Wilson already out of the Broncos' QB competition?
Sure, it could be part of a plan the team has, but it sure seems peculiar to suddenly switch up this rotation if the three quarterbacks are getting an equal look.
Preseason games will likely be the true indicator of where the team intends to go and if Wilson comes in with the third-team offense each game, he's not going to be the starting quarterback. He may not even be on the team at all.
The Broncos open their preseason slate on Sunday, August 11 against the Indianapolis Colts. It seems that at this point, it would be nothing short of shocking if Wilson won the team's starting job.
Wilson, once chosen with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, was traded to the Broncos for a sixth-round pick in April. Over the next month, he may not only be fighting to stick around in Denver, he may be fighting for his future in the NFL.
