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Jarrett Stidham to start as Broncos QB in preseason opener against Indianapolis Colts

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Jarrett Stidham to start as Broncos QB in preseason opener against Indianapolis Colts


Jarrett Stidham is up first once again.

The sixth-year quarterback will start Denver’s preseason opener Sunday at Indianapolis, head coach Sean Payton confirmed after practice Friday.

The decision to start Stidham, the lone incumbent in the Broncos’ quarterback room, is not a surprise. In fact, it’s in line with how Payton has conducted the entire offseason. When OTAs began in May, Stidham had the first day with the first team, followed by rookie first-round draft pick Bo Nix and then 2021 first-round pick Zach Wilson. When minicamp started in June, Stidham had the first day. When training camp started? More of the same.

Nix will start the Broncos’ second preseason game, Aug. 18 at home against Green Bay, Payton said.

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Sunday against Indianapolis, Stidham will play Phase 1, as Payton calls it — usually somewhere around 15-20 snaps depending on game flow — and then Nix will go second and Wilson third.

Payton said of the decision to start Stidham, “I just think right now, certainly he’s been here, his experience. Next week it’ll be Nix, but we’re focused on this game and I would say that it’s just where we’re at.”

The Broncos’ second-year head coach said Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in April’s draft, could end up getting the last drive of Phase 1 against the Colts.

“We just have to see where we’re at reps-wise,” Payton said. … “There’s a little trick to it. Are we at Play 14 and the No.1s are still out there? It really depends on how the game unfolds.”

The biggest difference for Nix between the end of Phase 1 and the start of Phase 2 will be the offensive line. Payton indicated Friday that the Broncos will rotate multiple receivers, backs and tight ends through the opening phase.

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On Thursday, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi laid out the plan for the quarterbacks regardless of who is in the game or when.

“Just a clean operation and playing good football with the situation that’s presented to them,” he said. “There’s not a ton of game-planning that goes into these (preseason) games. You take a peak at the team you’re about to play, and really you’re picking your install plays that fit that team instead of like, ‘Hey, if we see this look we’re going to change this formation,’ or, ‘We’re going to add this route that we have in practice.’ You’re in there with a lot of different guys. The way that guys work together, it’s a little bit different than maybe during the season where you’re practicing with the same guys and you know who you’re throwing the routes to.

“There can be a little more uncertainty than a regular season game. So handle all that, and make good decisions and take the plays that are there. If we call a bad play, make sure nothing bad happens. Just operate well with the conditions that are given.”

Nix is still expected to push Stidham for the starting job by Week 1 in Seattle and it would be a moderate surprise if the rookie didn’t ultimately win the job, but Payton has stuck to giving Stidham first-team work for the first stanza of camp, so it follows that the plan would extend to at least the first preseason game.

“The second year in the system … things are coming more naturally to me within the system and that sort of thing,” Stidham said Wednesday before finding out he was starting the first preseason game. “I feel like training camp so far has been really good, just going back and forth every day, learning the guys.”

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Payton said earlier this week that the coaching staff and personnel department were holding meetings Tuesday and Wednesday to talk through the roster and set the play plan for Indianapolis. Then offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said the staff finalized the plan Thursday afternoon. Payton also reiterated he expects most or all healthy starters to get at least some snaps in the game.

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Rep. Hurd emphasizes need for consistent, predictable energy policies at Denver roundtable

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Rep. Hurd emphasizes need for consistent, predictable energy policies at Denver roundtable


Energy policy in the U.S. needs to be predictable, stable and transparent, because when funding and regulations fluctuate with every federal administration, unexpected costs fall onto consumers, according to U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd. Hurd held a roundtable discussion alongside Guzman Energy CEO Christopher Miller in the company’s Denver office Wednesday, with other energy leaders from […]



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Denver Broncos roster review: Wide receiver Mike Woods

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Denver Broncos roster review: Wide receiver Mike Woods


The Denver Broncos made a significant upgrade to their wide receiver corps this offseason trading for Jaylen Waddle. That gives them a solid group of five with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Byrant all in the mix. The hope is the corps can contribute at a high level for the upcoming 2026 season and help take Denver’s offense to the next level.

The Broncos didn’t draft a wide receiver this past April but signed a handful of undrafted free agents to compete for a spot. Additionally, they signed veteran wide receiver Mike Woods after he impressed at the team’s rookie minicamp several weeks ago.

Woods split time between Arkansas and Oklahoma during his collegiate career. He performed well during the pre-draft circuit and had a very good performance at the NFL Combine and was subsequently selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, since being drafted, he has made a minimal impact in the NFL with just 12 career receptions and 110 receiving yards.

Age: 26 | Experience: Fifth Year | College: Arkansas & Oklahoma | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 204 pounds

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Arm Length: 33” | Hand Size: 9-3/8” | Broad Jump: 10’-5” | Vertical: 35-1/2”

40-Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds | 3-Cone: 7.07 seconds | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.46 seconds

Mike Woods’ 2026 outlook with the Broncos

The Broncos have opted to carry five receivers on the final roster for most of Head Coach Sean Payton’s time leading the charge. It’s unlikely Woods will be able to unseat any of the five aforementioned receivers. Those spots are set in stone barring some unforeseen circumstance.

At best, it seems like he could be a fit on the team’s practice squad. His physical attributes and athletic testing scores are quite impressive outside of his agility drills. Perhaps he could be a potential game day elevation like we have seen from Lil’ Jordan Humphrey over the past few seasons.

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However, he has had multiple significant injuries during his pro career and has been suspended in the past for off the field issues. With that in mind, it’s hard to see him being a contributor for the team this season to any significant degree.

Chalk it up as extremely doubtful that Woods ends up making the final roster. There is a chance he could make the team’s practice squad. But even with that, he faces an uphill battle. The team already has several other receivers in the fold who already have an extensive knowledge of Payton’s offense.



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Freedom Plane arrives in Denver with rare founding documents from National Archives

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Freedom Plane arrives in Denver with rare founding documents from National Archives


DENVER – Some of the most important documents in American history have arrived in Denver.

The Freedom Plane landed at Denver International Airport on Tuesday, carrying nine historic documents pulled directly from the National Archives for a rare traveling exhibit that will make eight stops across the country.

“This is a once-in-a-generation experience,” said National Archives Foundation CEO Patrick Madden. “For us at the National Archives, it is about the original records and saying, ‘How do you take this and make this a human experience, and know it was all people who were coming together around a common idea that has become our nation today?’”

The exhibit includes a William J. Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence, a draft of the Constitution, a draft of the Bill of Rights, and the Oaths of Allegiance signed by George Washington, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton – documents that have never traveled outside of Washington, D.C. before this tour.

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“What could be more important than these foundational documents that formed our nation?” said History Colorado President and CEO Dawn DiPrince. “To be invited to host these feels like one of the greatest honors that we could ever hope for in our work.”

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The tour stops in 8 cities across the country. It will only be on display in Denver for 17 days.

Before the documents are ready for the public, History Colorado staff face a significant behind-the-scenes challenge to prepare the museum.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize what goes on behind the scenes in the museum,” said Exhibits and Loan Registrar Samantha Stamps-Ten Hoeve. “It’s kind of like an extreme version of Tetris, where there’s so many things going on.”

The preparation includes organizing security, calibrating lighting, and addressing a challenge unique to Colorado’s climate.

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►Watch Ethan Carlson’s report in the player below:

Freedom Plane arrives in Denver with rare founding documents from National Archives

“We did make a plan: in our case, silica gel, because that’s very useful to help raise humidity,” Stamps-Ten Hoeve said.

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The exhibit opens Thursday, May 28, and will only be on display for 17 days before moving on to Miami. Admission is free to the public, but tickets must be reserved in advance at HistoryColorado.org.

“To do this on behalf of Coloradans and the Rocky Mountain West is pretty incredible,” DiPrince said.

Madden said the goal of the exhibit goes beyond a history lesson.

“We’re hoping they take a little bit of civic spark from it and say, ‘What is my role in my democracy today, and how do we shape it for the future?” Madden said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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