ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — There were some signs during the Broncos’ sweltering hot training camp practice Friday suggesting Bo Nix is making a move towards becoming the starting quarterback.
Besides the fact he was taking his turn running the No. 1 offense.
There was a game situation where there were seconds remaining and the Broncos needed a few more yards to get into long-range field goal position before hurrying up to stop the clock. Only Nix went through that exercise while No. 2 QB Jarrett Stidham and No. 3 Zach Wilson watched.
There was a move-the-ball, 2-minute team period near the end of practice. Nix seemed to get about a dozen plays with the first-team offense as they methodically moved the ball into mid-field goal range.
Stidham came in with the No. 2 offense, completed two passes – including a 25-yarder or so to Brandon Johnson – and was in field goal range.
Wilson and the No. 3 offense didn’t get to participate in the move-the-ball drill.
What makes a good 2-minute quarterback?
“They are fast processers,’’ said head coach Sean Payton. “The pocket gets muddied, they don’t get stuck with sacks. They understand how to manage the clock.
“Someone that has good presence and is able to really manage the clock, understand what I’m thinking. I can always control the timeout. I’m right with the officials. Our league has seen a number of great quarterbacks, and we’ve always debated it, but those guys at some point will call the two-minute (offense). Then occasionally you can beep in (on the headset) and say, ‘Heads up for a shot here.’ You’re kind of the co-pilot if you will.
“Early on with these guys, we’re in their ear and we’re giving them the play and that’s something I think you build that as you get more comfortable with it.”
We’ll see what Payton does for the Saturday practice at Broncos Park that’s going to feature game-like situations, if not necessarily a scrimmage. It’s Stidham’s turn to take the No. 1 offense.
But even if it is Stidham with the 1s on Saturday, more steps are being made to get Nix ready.
Not that he didn’t look like a rookie quarterback at times Friday. Three times after Nix broke the huddle and approached the ball at the scrimmage line, Payton had the offense re-huddle and start the play again.
As if Payton was saying, ‘Come on, kid, if you’re going to be the guy, get it right.’
“Really wanted to harp on all the details today,’’ Payton said. “Even as a (coaching) staff, I just met with them and I said, ‘I want to—I’m not going to use the word—but I want to be on their (butts) about everything.’ That was like a stone in the shoe day coaching, and it’s part of the discipline of playing.
“If we’re to find the right 53 (players). It’s not just physically the talent. It’s the mental toughness, the fortitude, all those other things. Can you be challenged, can you be coached hard, how do you react? That was part of today.”
Pass rush goal
Starting outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper led the Broncos last year with 8.5 sacks followed by Nik Bonitto with 8.0. Bonitto missed his third training camp practice Friday. He has been bothered by a sore back.
“It’s 10-plus sacks across the room is the goal,’’ Cooper said. “Nothing short. That’s why I’m saying last year is just last year. I feel like the number for 8.5 as the sacks leader is too low. We have to bring that up.”
Rules, rules
NFL referee Brad Rogers visited the Broncos this week to go over the rule changes for 2024. The new kickoff rule everyone knows about. Rogers addressed the Broncos’ team meeting Wednesday night and said he got a couple questions, all about the hip-drop tackle that has been outlawed because of its dangers.
Bronco Bits
Zach Allen, Caden Sterns, Justin Strnad and Audric Estime got a rest day Friday as the team will ramp up practice Saturday. Left tackle Garett Bolles got reps off because he and his wife Natalie just had their third child, a daughter. …
This is unusual. The Broncos have been playing a quarterback cadence over the loud speaker early in practice. Payton said it’s to help all three quarterbacks deliver the snap count in a similar fashion.
“We’re trying to create that same beat with three different players. So we’re making a big point of it. It becomes difficult for the offensive line if the one beat is a little slower or the one beat is a little faster. So it’s not a rhythmic cadence, and yet there’s a flow to it.’’ …
Practice next Friday, Aug. 9, will be closed to the public. The Broncos will practice indoors that day at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse in preparation for their preseason opener Sunday, Aug. 11 against the Indianapolis at domed Lucas Oil Stadium.
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