Jarrett Stidham focused on beating out Bo Nix, Zach Wilson for Broncos QB1 job: ‘I’m here to compete’

They say if you have two quarterbacks, you really have none. But consider that the Broncos are splitting their QB reps three ways. And Jarrett Stidham, who ended the season as the starter, doesn’t plan on giving up the job.

He said as much this week as the Broncos started phase three of OTAs. There’s Stidham. Denver traded for Zach Wilson, the former starter with the Jets, for the bargain-basement price of a seventh-round draft pick.

And finally, the Broncos used the 12th pick of the NFL Draft to nab Bo Nix from Oregon. He was the sixth QB off the board in what was a record-setting draft for the position. To add to the Denver intrigue, Nix was Stidham’s successor at Auburn before the quarterback left the Tigers and transferred cross country to Oregon. There, his college career blossomed.

Stidham is the old guy of the group. He’s 27. So he has the benefit of experience in dealing with quarterback competitions.

“I’ve dealt with this before when I was in New England with Mac Jones,” Stidham said, “It’s a business and I totally understand it. But at the same time, I’m here to compete. I’m not going to just sit down and let someone else walk in here and [just take the role]. I’m going to work my butt off to get the job. (And) I’m super excited about it.”

The Patriots selected Stidham in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. Then after Tom Brady left, New England selected Jones in the first round of the 2021 draft. (The Patriots shipped Jones to the Jaguars earlier this off season).