Reactions from Broncos' Stidham and Wilson to Nix's appointment as starting center

DENVER – The two experienced quarterbacks who lost out to rookie Bo Nix in the battle for the Broncos' starting job reacted very differently to the decision.

Understand that differences do not mean that one was right and the other was wrong.

First, Jarrett Stidham's reaction when head coach Sean Payton told him that Nix would be the starter.

“First of all, of course, I was very disappointed,” Stidham said. “I know that I am a starting quarterback in this league. I have no doubts about that. It just didn't go the way I wanted it to.”

“But I know what kind of player I am, what kind of person I am. I'll be ready when I need to be, and yes, like I said, I have no doubt that I'm a starting quarterback in this league.”

Now to Zach Wilson's reaction to the news: Bo would be the right one.

“I was happy for him,” Wilson said. “I don't think it was too much of a surprise, right? I think he had a great camp. I told him I was happy for him for this opportunity.”

“I really think they're putting him in a good situation. I think Sean has done a phenomenal job and the [coaches] we can hang out with, starting with Davis [Webb] and Joe [Lombardi] and Pete [Carmichael] and then Johnny Mo [Morton]we have a great offensive team. I think they're doing a great job and Bo is just getting better and better. I'm excited to see what he can do and I think he's ready for it.”

These differing perspectives can be explained with some context. Stidham is entering his sixth NFL season with just four career appearances. Even if Nix was selected No. 12 in the first round, Stidham had a chance. He was the Broncos' No. 1 quarterback during offseason OTAs. He was No. 1 at the start of training camp, and then he shared first-team practice with Nix over the next two weeks of practice and the first two preseason games.

Nix received Payton's approval on Wednesday.

Wilson, on the other hand, started 31 games in his three seasons with the New York Jets and is entering his fourth season with a new team. Except for the first week of training camp, he was out of the running for the Broncos' No. 1 quarterback job. Since then, Wilson worked with the No. 3 offense before getting an extended audition for the No. 2 quarterback job on Sunday against Arizona.

Payton said after the final preseason game on Sunday that he believes all three quarterbacks will make the 53-man roster. Now the question is who is No. 2. It makes sense for Stidham to be the No. 2 quarterback on game day, since Wilson is available in case of emergency.