The QB competition will continue in training camp

Denver Broncos WR Tim Patrick exercises during Minicamp drills at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit in Englewood, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

The Broncos’ quarterback rotation continued on the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp Tuesday.

Head coach Sean Payton indicated that this could also bear fruit in training camp.

On the first day of the three-day mini camp in Denver, Jarrett Stidham led the first team representatives, Zach Wilson led the second team, and Bo Nix led the third team.

That’s consistent with how Payton and the offensive staff conducted three weeks of structured team activities, with each quarterback getting one day a week with the top group.

“We draw them differently every day with ones, twos and threes, and we do the same thing with multiple position groups,” Payton said Tuesday. “I just feel like this is the time of year to do it.”

This won’t be the case soon. Payton, however, said he doesn’t feel rushed to make a decision on the starter between rookie Nix, journeyman Stidham and Wilson, who handles the reclamation project.

“I have a final game that will be a week before the first game,” Payton said. “But I don’t have a set date. …I don’t have a date. I have balls.

Payton downplayed the idea that any of the three would benefit from getting most of their training camp reps with the No. 1 group.

“I think the most important thing is the right decision,” he said.

Stidham’s command of the offense has been clear and evident from the beginning of OTAs, when reporters had access to the practice. On Tuesday, he made a well-timed deep cross to Marvin Mims Jr. for a big gain that was probably considered the offensive play of the day.

“Without a doubt, he’s a lot further along in what we’re doing than Year 1 and the transition period,” Payton said of Stidham. “He looked really great during the offseason program. Truly decisive. The leadership is there to provide.

“There is good competition.”

On Tuesday, a pair of offensive veterans noted that Nix’s approach so far belies his rookie status. It’s a common refrain around the Broncos building. That’s partly because Nix is ​​24 years old and has played a college-record 61 FBS games, but also because he’s clearly settled into pro life quickly.

“It feels like he’s been here before,” left fielder Quinn Meinerz said.

Added receiver Courtland Sutton on the field for the first time after missing a voluntary portion of the offseason due to a contract “impasse”: “Obviously I understand the politics of the game and I know everyone is probably looking for (Nix) as a guy. He does a lot of things really well and has the ability to get on the field quickly and be successful.

Payton said Tuesday that often the answer becomes clear to both coaches and players on the roster as the regular season approaches.

“We always talk about the locker room and the players in the locker room,” he said. “I think when we go to training camp and pre-season games, decisions often make themselves. The goal is to win. I understand the (big picture) question, but in our league it’s different from year to year. Man, we’re trying to win this year and we’ll make the right decision depending on who gives us the opportunity.

Elsewhere at Broncos minicamp