Sean Payton is already impressed with Bo Nix as the Denver Broncos' QB competition begins among the "orphaned dogs"

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Adopt don’t shop.

That appears to be the Denver Broncos and Sean Payton’s philosophy when it comes to the most important position in sports.

“It’s kind of the orphan group. They’ll all orphaned dogs,” the Broncos’ head coach said on Thursday, talking about the team’s quarterback room. “They’ve come from somewhere, but they’re doing well. It’s a good room.”

The Broncos’ quarterback room that Payton has assembled is an eclectic group in terms of their backgrounds. Jarrett Stidham, the veteran in the room, signed with the Broncos as a free agent in 2023 after stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots.

Zach Wilson was acquired via trade just days before the 2024 NFL Draft, after the New York Jets used the No. 2 overall pick on him in 2021. And, of course, the organization used the 12th-overall pick on Bo Nix in April.

“They come from different systems. One is coming from college. One is coming from two or three NFL systems, and the other is coming from one system,” Payton said, explaining the quarterback room. “They’re all in a race to learn this system. I would say—you guys watched the practice—they’re doing well.”

During Thursday’s OTA practice, the rookie first-round pick got his opportunity with the starters, operating Payton’s offense with efficiency and command.

Nix didn’t light the world on fire in his first practice leading the starters, but he also didn’t make any significant mistakes. Most notably, the 24-year old didn’t look like a rookie. He was efficient and took what Vance Joseph’s defense gave him. There’s a reason for that, the head coach explained.

“He’s farther along than most,” Payton stated about Nix, after the team wrapped up their first week of OTA practices on Thursday. “We’re talking about a player who has played 61 games [in college]. He’s extremely smart. He’s picked it up very quickly.”

But despite Nix working with the starters on Thursday, it’s too early to crown him the team’s starting quarterback just yet.

“We’re rotating all of them right now,” Payton said, letting the media know there is still a quarterback competition taking place. “So Tuesday, ‘Stiddy’ (Jarrett Stidham) ran with the ones, then Zach [Wilson], and then Bo. We’ll keep doing that right now.”

With three OTA practices the first week, all three quarterbacks got their day to be with the starting group.

“We go by what we see. We try to get them as many reps as possible,” Payton said, explaining what he’s looking for in the competition.

Wilson was the only quarterback to throw an interception on the day, getting picked off by rookie safety Omar Brown as he tried to fit a laser into tight coverage on the right numbers. Despite that, Payton has had a positive first impression of the former No. 2 overall pick.

“I like his experience,” Payton said. “You can tell he’s played, and I feel like he has very live arm strength. He’s picking up the offense pretty quickly.”

Sean Payton has gone to the free agent market, the trade market and the draft to assemble his quarterback room. And he’s going to let the three battle it out for the starting job.