August 11th 2024.
Sean Payton despises sacks. He has a strong aversion to them and cannot tolerate them. As the head coach of the Broncos, he puts a lot of the responsibility for sacks on the quarterback rather than the offensive line. This was a major source of frustration for Payton last year when Russell Wilson was sacked 45 times in just 15 starts. However, this year, Payton is pleased with the performance of his quarterbacks in this area.
In their first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, Jarrett Stidham, Bo Nix, and Zach Wilson collectively dropped back a total of 41 times and did not take a single sack. Nix explained that this was due to their knowledge of their outlets, being aware of when they are "hot," and having a good feel for the pocket. He also emphasized the importance of timing and being able to quickly move through progressions if the primary or secondary receivers are not open.
The trio of quarterbacks had a combined 29-of-41 passing for 279 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Let's take a closer look at each of their performances in the order that they appeared on the field.
Jarrett Stidham had a total of 11 snaps and completed 3 out of 7 passes for 37 yards, with one interception. Despite this, Stidham played aggressively and made some good throws, including a 27-yard pass to Courtland Sutton and a 10-yard pass to Tim Patrick. Unfortunately, his drive was hindered by four offensive penalties from veteran players and the interception was not his fault. Overall, Stidham's performance was solid and he will likely receive more opportunities in the next game against the Green Bay Packers.
Bo Nix, who had a total of 36 snaps, had a strong showing with 15 completions on 21 attempts for 125 yards and one touchdown. He also had three carries for 17 yards. Although he made some mistakes, such as a fumbled snap, Nix showed his ability to play under pressure and perform well in the two-minute drill. He also received praise from both head coach Sean Payton and veteran receiver Courtland Sutton for his performance.
Zach Wilson had a total of 32 snaps and completed 10 out of 13 passes for 117 yards. He also had three carries for minus-1 yard. Wilson had a steady performance, although he did have a fumble that resulted in a Colts touchdown. However, he was able to bounce back and connect with rookie running back Blake Watson for a 33-yard gain. It will be interesting to see if Wilson gets more opportunities against stronger competition in the upcoming games.
Overall, all three quarterbacks showed promise and potential in their first preseason game. They still have room for improvement, but it's clear that they are benefitting from the structure and stability in Denver's offense. It will be exciting to see how they continue to develop and compete for a spot on the roster. Make sure to sign up for the Broncos Insider to stay updated on all the latest news and analysis.
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