Rookie Bo Nix wins the starting spot as Broncos quarterback ahead of Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson

The Denver Broncos' unconventional quarterback competition ended with a final twist on Wednesday when coach Sean Payton walked to his quarterbacks during warmups and told them that rookie Bo Nix had won the starting job.

“He was smiling,” Payton said of the 12th pick out of Oregon and sixth quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. “We were getting ready to practice, and that was it. You know, we didn't have any cake or candles or anything.”

Payton didn't even share the news with the rest of his team when he gathered everyone together after practice.

“I haven't told the rest of the team yet,” Payton said. “Because I'm not going to have meetings with the rest of the team about any of those other positions.”

Besides, he said, “they kind of saw this coming.”

Nix, who started 61 games for Oregon and Auburn, setting an NCAA quarterback record, led the Broncos to points in six of the seven drives he led during the preseason.

Payton declined to discuss his plans for Sunday's final test game against Arizona at quarterback, but it's likely the two veterans he beat out will share that workload.

Nix is ​​not a flashy guy, so he didn't mind when he was told he would be the first rookie to start at quarterback for the Broncos since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.

“Yeah, he came over and said he would tell you (the media) this afternoon. (So) let's get a good workout,” Nix said.

And that's exactly what Nix did.

The same was true of the other quarterbacks: Zach Wilson, who was selected by the Jets second in the 2021 draft, and Jarrett Stidham, who was both a backup and Denver's incumbent due to his two appearances at the end of last season when Payton benched Russell Wilson, whom they let go in February.

In his second year in Payton's system, Stidham got off to a fast start in the QB competition in July and Zach Wilson showed by far the best arm strength of the three. But Nix caught on – and caught up quickly – and shined in tryouts against the Colts and Packers and in a joint practice against Green Bay last week.

Nix completed 77% of his passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and posted a passer rating of 116.7 in the preseason.

Payton said he was impressed with Nix's quick reactions and ability to navigate a dirty pocket when the pass rush approaches.

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