ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Sean Payton has been consistently asked about his two new quarterbacks, Bo Nix and Zach Wilson.
Meanwhile, the returning QB, Jarrett Stidham, has been better than an afterthought. Better as in the best of the Broncos’ three quarterbacks so far. Nix has been surprisingly consistent for a rookie. He may still be the bet for the opening day starter Sept. 8 at Seattle.
Wilson looked better Tuesday when it was his turn to operate the No. 1 offense during the first day of mandatory minicamp practice.
Stidham, though, has been the quarterback who has won the day. He won the day again Tuesday with his best throw an in-stride completion to receiver Marvin Mims Jr. on a deep crossing route. Stidham is the official incumbent starter as he started the final two games in place of the benched Russell Wilson at the end of last season.
“He’s doing well,’’ Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of Stidham. “Clearly, within the framework within what we’re doing, he is much further along than in Year 1 in the transition. I’d say he’s looked really sharp during this offseason program. Real decisive. I think the leadership he is able to provide there, and there’s good competition.”
Tim Patrick shines
For the first time this offseason, Broncos veteran receiver Tim Patrick made several catches during the 11-on-11 portion of practice. Patrick even made a couple cuts after the catch to avoid defenders. After back-to-back 51-53 catch, 742-734 yard, 6-5 touchdown seasons in 2020-21, Patrick drew a three-year, $30 million contract extension – only to miss all of 2022 with a torn ACL and all of 2023 with a torn Achilles.
He accepted a cut from $10 million to the minimum $1.125 million this year with the hopes of repaying the Broncos in performance.
“Obviously, have seen healthy tape,’’ Payton said. “Granted I wasn’t here, but I kind of have an idea or vision for the player. Then all the other things that he brings relative to his competitiveness, his versatility. He’s a great teammate. I think he’s an important part of the locker room, so it’s good to see him more and be smart with that.”
Gregory lawsuit
Payton was asked about the claims filed in Arapahoe County district court last week by former Bronco Randy Gregory. The lawsuit argues the NFL and the Broncos should have allowed Gregory to use physician-prescribed dronabinol, which is an FDA-approved THC (synthetic cannabis) to treat his anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Instead, Gregory has amassed $532,500 in fines for taking dronabinol, which is on the NFL’s banned substance list.
“I’m aware of what was written in the lawsuit, but it’s nothing that I had to deal with directly at all,’’ Payton said. “I think it is more—and even talking with his agent [Peter Schaffer]—I think it’s more of a league issue than necessarily a Broncos issue. Nonetheless there was nothing that I ever dealt with.”
Tryouts
The Broncos have brought in several players to participate in their minicamp on a tryout basis, including former Florida and Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks, who is trying to make it as a tight end.
Other tryout players included receiver Ra’Shaun Henry, NFL veteran inside linebacker Andre Smith, cornerback Kyler McMichael, tight end Hunter Kampmoyer, defensive lineman Blaine Hoover and linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk, who started two games for the Browns in 2022.
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