Former Auburn football star outcompeting Bo Nix early in Denver Broncos QB battle

Bo Nix is surprisingly being outplayed at the beginning of his Denver Broncos career by a familiar face: former Baylor and Auburn football star Jarrett Stidham, who has put his head down and competed despite welcoming 2024's No. 12 overall pick and Zach Wilson to the QB room.

"Say this for Stidham: He hasn’t moped about becoming crowded with hotshot newcomers," 9News' Mike Klis prefaced before saying, "He bowed his neck and competed. To almost all media observers, Stidham was the best of the three quarterbacks, with Nix also mostly promising, during the offseason practice sessions."

Stidham had a mature approach about competing with everyone the Broncos have acquired this offseason.

“Well, look, I’ve been in this business long enough,’’ Stidham said on June 12 at a Home Run Derby for charity event at Coors Field. “I get it. The thing is, competition is good. It brings out the best in people, I truly believe that. All I can control is hard I work, how prepared I am.”

Bo Nix once predicted to be only Auburn football alum in Broncos' QB room

At one point, Stidham was pegged to be released by Denver this offseason. From the sounds of it now, Stidham may be earning himself a role on the team as, at worst, a backup, and at best, someone who can help the Broncos out of the gate as Nix gets his NFL legs underneath him.

Stidham has never been spectacular in the pros but he has a strong arm and could be worth a look as long as there are weapons present in the WR room. And in the Mile High City, there are -- Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and rookie Troy Franklin, a former top weapon of Nix, to name a few.

Nix's NFL journey may take a bit to truly get off the ground if Stidham continues to impress.