Quarterback Bo Nix underwent a follow-up procedure on his ankle in April.
Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos ended their season with backup Jarrett Stidham under center after falling to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. When the team kicks off its on-field offseason program in early June, Stidham will still hold the QB1 spot, but that title won’t last for long. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is expected to be a full participant when training camp begins in late July, and head coach Sean Payton said there’s “a good chance” Nix will take the field during the team’s minicamp in five weeks.
“We feel real good about where he’s at,” Payton said of Nix following Saturday’s rookie minicamp practice. “You guys will have a chance to see it here in a few weeks. Clearly, full speed by training camp. We just want to be smart relative to holding him back a little.”
Payton’s update comes roughly two weeks after it was revealed that Nix, who fractured his ankle during Denver’s divisional-round playoff win against the Buffalo Bills, had a follow-up procedure in late January. Payton explained that the second surgery, which took place just before last month’s NFL Draft, was a routine part of the quarterback’s rehab process. The coach declined to provide specifics. Nix stated in late January that the initial operation addressed “a simple bone break.”
“The follow-up procedure was not a surprise,” Payton said. “We had five other players who staged surgeries (this offseason) where there’s a (first) step, they evaluate, and then there’s a second step. He was the sixth that went through that. No surprises. … If it were up to him, it would be earlier, but we’re going to be smart.”
Payton indicated there’s a possibility Nix could return to the field in some capacity when the Broncos hold their mandatory minicamp from June 16-18. “I think there’s a good chance we see him in this offseason program,” Payton said. “We’re going to be the ones kind of holding back, if you will.”
Payton noted that the Broncos might add another quarterback for the offseason program to boost depth, but two healthy QBs—Stidham and Sam Ehlinger—will be sufficient to run offseason practices. The team currently has veteran Nathan Peterman and rookie tryout player E.J. Warner, son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, participating in their rookie minicamp. One of those players could join OTAs on a tryout basis or even sign to the 90-man roster. However, Payton emphasized that the bottom line is it won’t be long before their starting quarterback is back on the field.
Jonah Coleman’s physical makeup is part of the reason he could see the field in his rookie season. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)
A path to early playing time for Jonah Coleman
Payton is typically cautious about labeling a young running back as a third-down weapon. A major reason: the gap between college and pro football requires coaching and personnel staffs to project how prepared a back is to pass protect once he enters the league. However, Payton said that’s less of a concern with Coleman, the team’s fourth-round pick from the University of Washington. During Saturday’s practice, it was clear that the 5-foot-9, 220-pound back has the necessary physical attributes to hold up in protection. Yet it was the significant reps Coleman showed on tape, especially during his last two college seasons, that convinced the Broncos he could quickly master that critical aspect of the passing game.
“You’re always having to project, somewhat, ‘How’s he going to be in protection?’” Payton said. “Sometimes the stature is going to limit him, period. (Coleman) had quite a bit of film, but most of th
