As the curtain falls on the pre-season, Denver Broncos‘ a 38-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinalsthe focus shifts to head coach Sean Payton’s critical decision on who will replace rookie quarterback Bo Nix. With preseason games yielding more data and film to review, Payton’s choice will be crucial, depending on his risk appetite — choosing between a quarterback with a higher ceiling or a more stable, if uninspiring, higher floor.

The second and third string battles offered glimpses of the contenders’ potential and pitfalls, but one performance stood out, one that could potentially reshape Denver’s backup quarterback landscape.

Let’s take a look at the Broncos’ final quarterback report from this summer.

Stidham, now in his second year under Payton’s tutelage, had limited opportunities to prove his worth in the game against the Cardinals. Stidham played just one series, completing 2 of 4 passes for a modest 28 yards.

Stidham’s brief appearance was marred by a tendency to focus on a single receiver, overlooking other open targets who could have converted short gains into significant yardage. That habit, coupled with his career passer rating of 78.3, suggests he’s a known quantity — a quarterback with a steady hand but little potential for breakout plays.

Stidham’s minimal playing time raises questions about whether he was given a fair chance to claim the reserve role. With such a small sample size, there wasn’t enough evidence to definitively tip the scales in his favor.

Stidham’s performance lacked the motivation Payton needed to make a decision. Broncos fans are wondering if his fate as a backup quarterback and a spot on the roster is sealed or if he’ll still get a chance to prove himself.

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In stark contrast, Wilson entered the field with the force of a man determined to rewrite his story. Cast aside by the New York Jets and was labeled a failure, he seemed to harness the energy of a player with everything to prove.

Broncos GM George Payton and Coach Payton seemingly threw Wilson a lifeline, and the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft grabbed it with both hands. His performance against the Cardinals was nothing short of a revelation.

Wilson’s performance, 16-for-25 for 251 yards and two passing touchdowns with a 123.9 passer rating, was a beacon of hope for the Broncos. His arm strength and accuracy, reminiscent of his highly touted days as a BYU draft prospect, were on full display.

Despite Wilson’s four sacks, a reflection of the offensive line’s inconsistent protection and a need to accelerate his decision-making process, his ability to move the ball downfield and make plays in critical situations made him the undisputed alpha in this QB2 matchup. His performance has the potential to change the Broncos’ quarterback situation and inject a new sense of optimism into the team and its fans.

One question lingers as to whether Payton has leveled the playing field for Stidham. Earlier this week, Payton praised Wilson’s arm talent during a press conference, which now seems almost prophetic given the QB’s strong performance against the Cardinals.

Was this a case of Payton setting the stage for Wilson to succeed and perhaps inflate his value in the NFL, or simply a reflection of his honest assessment of his quarterbacks? Only Payton knows for sure, but it may have been apparent before the game even started.

And now that Wilson is emerging as the outsider to be the backup, Payton could prove his doubters wrong. If Wilson can continue to play at this level, the much-hyped reclamation project could become one of Payton’s greatest successes.

It’s a chance for Payton to cement his reputation as an offensive mastermind who can develop young talent and revive careers that others had written off.

Broncos fans, the future looks bright. After years of uncertainty, Denver may have finally found stability and potential in its quarterback room, setting the stage for a new era of Broncos football.

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