Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton may be on the verge of making a surprising move by naming Zach Wilson as the team’s backup quarterback. While many expected Jarrett Stidham to secure that role, Payton’s recent comments suggest he’s still undecided.
During a conference call on Monday, Payton kept his cards close, stating, “I’ll settle it and keep you guys posted.” This hesitation indicates that Wilson’s performance in the preseason has given Payton pause, making him reconsider who should back up rookie starter Bo Nix.
Interestingly, despite Stidham often being referred to as the “veteran” in the Broncos’ QB room, it’s Wilson who actually has more experience. Wilson, with 33 career starts, far outpaces Stidham’s four. Although Wilson’s time with the New York Jets was tumultuous, it’s widely acknowledged that the Jets have a history of stifling promising quarterbacks.
Wilson’s preseason performances have been impressive. Against the Colts, he completed 10 of 13 passes for 117 yards, avoiding sacks and interceptions. He followed that up with an even stronger showing against the Cardinals, throwing for 251 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown to his stats.
The question now is, if the Broncos find themselves in a tough spot this season and Nix gets injured, who would be better suited to step in? The answer seems clear. Stidham, who struggled to make an impact in his starts against the Chargers and Raiders, doesn’t inspire much confidence. In those games, he threw for under 500 yards with just two touchdowns, one of which was more a credit to Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s playmaking than Stidham’s skill.
On the other hand, Zach Wilson is still seen as a quarterback with untapped potential. Broncos GM George Paton recently praised Wilson, calling him one of the best arms in the NFL and asserting that Wilson possesses the qualities of a starter. “He can throw it as good as anyone in the league,” Paton said. “He’s smart and he’s a great kid. He has starter traits all over. I do think he will be a starter (again) in this league.”
This high praise from the GM, coupled with Payton’s positive remarks during training camp, suggests that Wilson is far more than a third-string option. Payton, who previously coached Wilson’s former backup Chase Daniel, is reportedly determined to develop Wilson into a top-tier quarterback.
With Wilson’s standout performances in the preseason and the support of both the head coach and general manager, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Wilson should be named the Broncos’ backup quarterback. While Bo Nix is the future, Wilson is more than capable of stepping in and keeping the Broncos competitive if needed.
All eyes are now on Payton to see if he’ll make the call and solidify Wilson’s spot on the depth chart, potentially providing Denver with some much-needed stability at the quarterback position this season.
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