Broncos Camp | Day 7: QB Controversy? The Truth About Jarrett Stidham

Day 7 of Denver Broncos training camp featured a few key storylines.

Englewood, CO — Say what you will about Sean Payton’s bold and, at times, abrasive personality, but the Denver Broncos head coach has clearly implemented drastic changes to the organization starting in training camp.

Like Payton’s work-in-silence mantra that was enforced this offseason to players and staff, these training camp practices have been very difficult to report on. Not because players are underperforming or because the sessions are unorganized, but because it’s so hard to get a read on how Payton’s team is doing as a collective unit within a two-hour practice window — based on how it's structured.

At various times this camp, I’ve seen starters playing with the third-teamers, and backups playing with the starters. Russell Wilson is taking live team reps throwing to a bunch of receivers that may be tricky for the average fan to recognize. 

Former team captains on defense are taking second-team reps to get up to speed with Vance Joseph’s defense, as some veterans are being monitored through snap counts.

Then there’s the strict media policy that has been implemented on behalf of the Broncos' fiery new head coach, which has severely limited social media posts and specific no-go areas of reporting. For the first time that I can remember, media isn’t allowed on the field either.

One thing is for sure; it’s a new day at Centura Health Training Center, so let’s get into the meat and potatoes of how Wednesday’s practice unfolded and my key takeaways.

There is No Wilson vs. Stidham QB Controversy

If there’s one thing the Denver media loves, it’s drumming up a QB controversy, especially when there isn’t one. Year in and year out, Broncos Country is force-fed a debate that player X at the backup QB position could be a more productive, exciting, and long-term answer at the position. Such is the case this year as well.

Jarrett Stidham was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, where he played three seasons. The 26-year-old comes to the Broncos after he was dealt from the Patriots to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he was named the starter for the first time in his NFL career last season, playing two regular season games.

In a move that seemingly came out of nowhere, the Broncos signed Stidham to a two-year, $10M contract this past spring. Thus far, he looks about as you’d expect.

Stidham clearly understands the Payton offense and has earned a reputation for being very good in the film room and on the grease board. Stidham is also known to be a good teammate and consistently wants to assist in the team’s success by whatever means necessary, which is something that Payton must love.

But it’s not an insult to say that when the ball leaves Stidham’s hand, I have no clue where it’s going. Accuracy and timing have been very difficult for the backup QB heading into his fifth NFL season.

Stidham is clearly prepared in this offense, but for whatever reason, there has been a flurry of incompletions and, most recently, muffed snaps at practice. But it’s important to note that Stidham did well on Day 7, along with third-string QB Ben DiNucci, specifically with completing passes in the red zone.

I’m not suggesting that Stidham be cut or released because he was handpicked by Payton to be Denver's QB2 in free agency. But, if Stidham doesn’t improve his missed assignments and grab the reigns of the Broncos' second-team offense, DiNucci would have no problem using his wild-hair style of quarterback play to try and win over the hearts of Broncos Country and the trust of his head coach. 

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Garett Bolles Underwhelms to Open Camp

Physically, Bolles looks lean and exceptionally strong and is obviously being monitored as a veteran player returning from injury. But I must admit it’s been a troubling start to camp for No. 72. 

In pass protection sets, Bolles has been bested by pass rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper on multiple days in camp — not to mention multiple false-start penalties on Tuesday that drew the ire of Coach Payton. 

In run blocking, Bolles looks to be doing very well, but I can’t help but notice the pressure that Russ has been facing, specifically from the left side. While I’m sure Bolles isn’t thrilled with his start to camp, there’s still time for him to hit his stride in pass protection. It’s early in camp.

I’m not suggesting that Bolles is declining or is on his way out. I’m reporting that the franchise left tackle is working hard to return from a severe injury while also taking his licks against the Broncos' young pass rushers.

I ate crow after labeling the Broncos' 2017 first-round draft pick a bust. It wasn’t personal, I just felt that after Bolles had clearly made his bed — after becoming the most penalized NFL player in his first three seasons in the NFL — he'd have to lie in it, much to the team's detriment.

But Bolles blasted the 'bust' label out of the water in a career comeback in 2020 after the team declined his fifth-year option. The Broncos rewarded Bolles’ exceptional performance six months later with a four-year, $68 million contract extension.

Last season, the former University of Utah left tackle broke his leg in Week 5, which landed him on season-ending injured reserve. Bolles' hard work and rehab obviously paid off, as No. 72 has been working with the first team these first few days of camp.

S Caden Sterns Earning Valuable First-Team Reps

The No. 30 holds a special place in the hearts of Broncos Country as its Hall-of-Famer Terrell Davis’ signature jersey, who led the team to consecutive Super Bowl championships in '97 and '98. In 2018, Phillip Lindsay requested permission from Davis to wear the number, and he became a fan favorite for his success as a local hero, earning an unprecedented Pro Bowl nod as an undrafted rookie and posting back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons to open his NFL career.

Former 2021 fifth-round pick Caden Sterns has now been tasked with carrying the weight of No. 30 but from the defensive side of the ball at the safety position. After a successful rookie season in 2021 that featured Sterns in 15 games, the former Texas Longhorn spent the majority of the 2022 season on IR after a nagging hip injury that required surgery.

But so far, so good for the 6-foot-1, 207-pound defender, who’s clearly spent a lot of time in the rehab, weight, and film rooms this past offseason. For the majority of camp, Sterns has been working with the first-team defense, lining up opposite Justin Simmons. In one of the early practices last week, Simmons tipped a Wilson pass that was intercepted by Sterns for the first turnover of training camp.

Turnovers are special and have the potential to swing games, but to me, the game finally appears to have slowed down for Sterns because he’s consistently putting himself and the secondary in a position that frustrates Broncos receivers. Trust and communication are pivotal in any unit in the NFL, but to witness team leaders like Simmons and All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who’s undoubtedly the best player on the field, trusting Sterns, is a true compliment to this young man.

On Wednesday, just like in every single practice, Sterns led defensive backs alongside Simmons in position drills, 7-on-7’s, and team period. He’s shown a dramatic improvement when it comes to remaining calm under pressure and trusting his natural instincts as a defender. 

It’s also important to note that Sterns is taking full advantage of the time given to him with the starting unit, as veteran team leader Kareem Jackson is likely being monitored for veteran snap counts in camp.

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