Zach Wilson leads the Broncos’ backups to a 38-12 win over the Cardinals in preseason finale

DENVER | Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham each made robust closing instances for surviving roster cuts after shedding out to rookie Bo Nix within the Denver Broncos’ newest quarterback competitors.

Stidham directed an environment friendly landing drive Sunday in his solely possession and Wilson drove Denver on 4 scoring drives because the Broncos wrapped up an ideal preseason with a 38-12 walloping of the Arizona Cardinals.

“Each these guys appeared good,” mentioned Broncos coach Sean Payton, who reiterated that he’d prefer to hold all three QBs when last cuts are made Tuesday. “We really feel snug with all three.”

In his most in depth motion this summer season, Wilson jumpstarted a landing drive with a 21-yard scramble and threw a 46-yard TD on a frozen rope of a go to Brandon Johnson with a crushed defensive again reducing throughout his path and he sped into the top zone.

Stidham’s cameo concluded with rookie operating again Audric Estime’s 3-yard rating.

“It was nice,” Stidham mentioned. “I knew going into it if I went down and scored on the primary drive I’d most likely be carried out. So, I’m actually happy with the blokes.”

Wilson, the previous second general draft decide by the Jets in 2021, has 33 profession NFL begins and that have confirmed when he sparked an 11-play, 77-yard landing drive with a powerful scramble from his personal 13 on second-and-20. He completed that drive with a 1-yard landing toss to tight finish Nate Atkins that gave Denver a 14-0 lead.

“I believe getting hit within the face” on the lengthy scramble “will enable you to prepare,” Wilson mentioned with a smile.

Wilson’s 1-yard keeper capped an 88-yard drive that made it 24-6 within the third quarter and he discovered Johnson from 46 yards out with 6:22 remaining.

Wilson completed 16 of 25 for 251 yards, two TDs and no interceptions in aid of Stidham, who directed a 10-play, 55-yard drive by going 2 of 4 for 28 yards.

Payton bristled when requested if monetary ramifications will come into play when deciding what number of QBs to maintain. Stidham is due $5 million this season and there’s been hypothesis he may need to take a paycut to stay round.

“No, we’ve obtained sufficient cash,” Payton mentioned. “I perceive the query. We really feel snug with these three quarterbacks. I believe I’ve informed you already I see the three of them making it.”

When that notion was relayed to Wilson within the locker room, he mentioned, “Yeah, thrilling. However reduce day’s not till Tuesday, so we’ll see what occurs.”

Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder break up snaps of their last audition to function Kyler Murray’s backup in Arizona (0-3). Tune was 12 of 18 for 119 yards with no touchdowns, an interceptions and a pair of sacks by Jordan Jackson.

Ridder was 10 of 16 for 111 yards in aid of Tune when he went to the medical tent within the closing minutes following a tough hit that left him in concussion protocol. Tune went again in and on his first snap threw an interception that linebacker Levelle Bailey returned 96 yards for a landing.

Denver DB Kedron Smith recorded his third takeaway of the preseason when he recovered Tony Jones Jr.’s fumble on the Denver 3. Jones was knocked from the sport with a shoulder harm on the play.

Matt Prater’s 50-yarder as the primary half expired made it 14-3. He tacked on a 24-yarder and Haassan Corridor accounted for Arizona’s solely landing with a 3-yard run within the fourth quarter that made it 24-12.

“I simply informed ’em the hassle was good, they battled in there immediately. However you misplaced the explosive play battle, you misplaced the takeaway battle. And that’s what occurs, you get beat,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon mentioned.

Cardinals security Darren Corridor mentioned the turnovers not withstanding, the Cardinals “really feel good.”

“We’re nonetheless constructing. We’ve obtained an extended method to go however as a staff we’re actual shut. We’ve got an actual shut bond,” he mentioned. “The sky’s the restrict for this staff.”

Accidents

Denver DB Damarri Mathis, who began 17 video games during the last two seasons, injured his proper ankle on a sort out on the sport’s second play from scrimmage and was carted off. Payton mentioned it didn’t seem vital. Broncos LB Durell Nchami pulled a hamstring. …Cardinals CBs Divaad Wilson (wrist), Elijah Jones (ankle) and Darren Corridor (hip) all obtained damage and Cardinals TE Sage Surratt (ankle) left within the third quarter. O-lineman Christian Jones was carted off within the waning minutes with an unspecified harm.

Up subsequent

Broncos: Common-season opener Sept. 8 at Seattle.

Cardinals: Common-season opener Sept. 8 at Buffalo.

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