The quarterback situation is one of the main concerns for the Denver Broncos as they head to their offseason preparations.

The incumbent quarterback is Jarrett Stidham, who played the team's last two games for Russell Wilson, whom the organization let go a month later.

In the mix are the recruits, Zach Wilson, who was acquired last month through a trade with the New York Jets, and rookie Bo Nix, who was drafted 12th overall this year.

All these players have a chip on their shoulders and hope to prove themselves this coming season.

Nix is a rookie who wants to make an impact in the NFL, an era when quarterbacks receive most of the spotlight.

Stidham has bounced around and has been a first-second option throughout his career.

Former 2021 No. 2 overall pick Wilson became indispensable when Aaron Rodgers became a Jet.

This is why Broncos coach Sean Payton calls them "orphan dogs."

The team recently had a practice, and Payton said all these dogs are doing well.

The Broncos have a good problem, at least internally. They have three players willing to become top dogs in their positions.

Payton said it is too early to tell who should be the QB1, but they can all show their wares in offseason training.

"We try to split up all the reps,″ the mentor said.

"There's going to be a time when you read into the reps, I don't think it's early in OTAs."

It looks like the Broncos plan is to have these three guys audition for the main roles.

"The first step with all of these guys, Jarrett, Zach, [Bo Nix], what do they do [well]?" Payton told The Athletic.

"There will be a handful of things that all of these guys have in common that they do well. Even in a preseason game, when one of them is in, you try to build your script around [...] you want to see them have success. That's our jobs as coaches and teachers [...] The challenge is exciting, but it's still, you want good quarterback play."

Who has the most natural chance to earn the starting spot?

Right now, the safest bet is Stidham.

Stidham as the Broncos' main quarterback

There's a more concrete argument for Stidham as the main guy at the start of the season.

Payton selected him to take over for unwanted Russell Wilson, and he went 2-2 in their last two games of the 2023 season.

Stidham, who said he is ready to compete for the starting spot, has the veteran leadership and wisdom to deal with the changes, and he showed that time and again long before the Russell Wilson situation.

He stepped up when needed, although he could be more efficient. The OTA might help, as Stidham is already familiar with Payton.

Zach Wilson is on a reset and will be the one to catch up, as he will study new offensive schemes under a new head coach.

Nix was a great college player, but there is a major difference between the pro and amateur levels. It would be dangerous to let him learn things on the fly, but it would be great for him to get a front seat in the Broncos' 2024 campaign.