JUST IN: Denver Broncos head coach want immediately start rookie 24-years old key man quarterback ahead journeyman Jarrett Stidham

Many have speculated since late April that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will prefer to start rookie quarterback Bo Nix over journeyman Jarrett Stidham and former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. However, these opinions were formed before it was known that the Broncos will kick off the 2024 season with a Week 1 game at the Seattle Seahawks, followed by a Week 2 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seattle’s fans, known as the “12s,” are renowned for creating one of the loudest and most challenging environments for visiting teams in the NFL. Additionally, Pittsburgh’s head coach Mike Tomlin is highly regarded and could pose significant challenges for any rookie quarterback in their first or second regular-season game. Furthermore, the Week 2 matchup against the Steelers might see Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson return to Denver after being released by Payton in March.

After September 15, the Broncos face back-to-back road games before returning home to play against their division rival, the Las Vegas Raiders, on October 6.

As of early Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook has listed Nix tied for sixth among the favorites to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, with +1600 odds. This is notable considering many predicted before the draft that Nix would fall to the second round.