DENVER (AP) — Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham have both made strong cases for surviving the roster cuts after losing to the rookie Bo Nix in the Denver Broncos’ final quarterback competition.

Stidham completed an efficient touchdown drive on his lone possession on Sunday and Wilson led Denver on four scoring drives as the Broncos capped off a perfect pre-season with a 38-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

“Both guys looked good,” said Broncos coach Sean Payton, who reiterated that he would like to keep all three QBs if the final cuts are made Tuesday. “We feel comfortable with all three.”

In his most extensive play this summer, Wilson kicked off a touchdown drive with a 21-yard scramble and threw a 46-yard TD on a frozen pass to Brandon Johnson as a beaten defender blocked his path and he raced into the end zone.

Stidham’s cameo ended with a rookie running back Audric Estime’s 3-yard score.

“It was awesome,” Stidham said. “I knew if I scored on the first drive, I was probably done. So I’m really proud of the guys.”

Wilson, the former second overall draft pick by the Jets in 2021, has 33 career NFL starts and that experience was evident when he ignited an 11-play, 77-yard touchdown drive with an impressive scramble from his own 13 on second-and-20. He finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown throw to tight end Nate Atkins, who gave Denver a 14-0 lead.

“I think a slap in the face” during the long climb “will help prepare you,” Wilson said with a smile.

Wilsons 1-yard keeper capped an 88-yard drive that made it 24-6 in the third quarter, finding Johnson from 46 yards out with 6:22 left.

Wilson completed 16 of 25 passes for 251 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in relief of Stidham, who led a 10-play, 55-yard drive by completing 2 of 4 passes for 28 yards.

Payton bristled when asked if financial implications play a role in determining how many QBs he wants to keep. Stidham is getting $5 million this season and there has been speculation he may have to take a pay cut to stay.

“No, we have enough money,” Payton said. “I understand the question. We’re comfortable with those three quarterbacks. I think I’ve told you I see all three of them succeeding.”

When that idea was put to Wilson in the locker room, he said, “Yeah, exciting. But you know, cutday isn’t until Tuesday, so we’ll see what happens.”

Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder split snaps in their final tryout to serve as Kyler Murray’s backup at Arizona (0-3). Tune was 12 of 18 for 119 yards with no touchdowns, an interception and a pair of sacks through Jordan Jackson.

Knight was 10 of 16 for 111 yards in relief of Tune when he went to the medical tent in the final minutes after a hard hit left him in concussion protocol. Tune went back and threw an interception on his first snap that linebacker Levelle Bailey returned 96 yards for a touchdown.

Denver DB Kedron Smith recorded his third takeaway of the preseason when he recovered Tony Jones Jr.’s fumble at the Denver 3-yard line. Jones was sidelined on the play with a shoulder injury.

Matt Prater’s 50-yarder as the first half ended made it 14-3. He added a 24-yarder and Haassan Hall accounted for Arizona’s lone touchdown with a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter to make it 24-12.

“I just told them the effort was good, they fought today. But you lost the explosive play battle, you lost the takeaway battle. And that’s what happens, you get beat,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said.

Cardinals safety Darren Hall said the Cardinals, despite the turnovers, “feel good.”

“We’re still building. We’ve got a long way to go, but as a team we’re very close. We have a very tight bond,” he said. “The sky’s the limit for this team.”

Injuries

Denver DB Damarri Mathis, who has started 17 games over the past two seasons, injured his right ankle making a tackle on the second play of the game and was carried out on a cart. Payton said it did not appear to be significant. Broncos LB Durell Nchami pulled a hamstring. Cardinals CBs Divaad Wilson (wrist), Elijah Jones (ankle) and Darren Hall (hip) were all injured, and Cardinals TE Sage Surratt (ankle) left the field in the third quarter. O-lineman Christian Jones was carried out on a cart in the final minutes with an unspecified injury.

Next

Cardinals: Season opener September 8 in Buffalo.

Seahawks: Season opener September 8 at Seattle.

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