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QB Scoreboard: Sean Payton names Jarrett Stidham the starter for the Denver Broncos' first preseason game

August 9, 2024

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Today’s scoreboard won’t be as fun as the others.

In fact, there’s no scoreboard at all.

The Denver Broncos didn’t have any real competitive periods on Friday. Instead, they held an extensive walkthrough in preparation of their first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. There wasn’t really anything to grade.

But we learned some details about what Sunday’s game will look like.

Jarrett Stidham will start the preseason opener.

“I just think right now certainly he’s been here, his experience,” head coach Sean Payton said.

Bo Nix will play with the second wave, but he might get a chance to play a series with the starters. Nix will be the starter in the second preseason game. Zach Wilson will play with the third wave of players.
Anthony Richardson will start at quarterback for the Colts on Sunday.
The Broncos’ starters will play 15-20 snaps on Sunday.
Some coaches want to win in the preseason. Some don’t care.

“I got it, ‘Win,’ underlined twice, exclamation points” Payton said. “I just think it’s something that we’re training to do each week.”

The top priority for the preseason is setting the table for the regular season, though.

“Obviously the most important thing is the 53-[man roster] cut and trying to get that right, but also the mindset of winning anything we do,” he said.
Eyioma Uwazurike is back practicing—and he’s looking good—but Sean Payton doesn’t expect him to play this weekend.

“I think it’s a tick early,” Payton said. “I think our plan is to have him work out, travel. We can do some conditioning prior to the game. Then next week at this time, look at him getting a certain amount of plays.”