When the Broncos’ first depth chart drops Friday Sean Payton could declare a draw at quarterback.

The coach definitely was dividing repetitions between Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix with the starters Saturday.

Zach Wilson was the odd man out with third-stringers.

And so it seems moreso that Payton will open with 1or the other 1 in the exhibitions at Indianapolis and in Denver, then make his final decision for the quarterback to open the regular season at Seattle.

I’m believing that Wilson either will be traded to a team searching for a backup or exposed in the final cuts and, if not signed, demoted to the Broncos’ practice squad.

The depth is down to Stidham and Nix, and Bo held the edge slightly in the Saturday session before a sweltering swarm of supporters at Dove Valley. If votes were cast on the hill overseeing the practice field, based on jerseys purchased and response cheers, Nix is the people’s choice. The players love Stidham’s leadership and experience qualities.

Zach’s predicament is reminiscent of Steve Spurrier in 1977 when the Broncos offered a four-man scramble for starting quarterback. Veteran Craig Morton, given up for dead by the Cowboys and the Giants, had been acquired, and Spurrier, a former Heisman winner at Florida who spent years as a No. 2 with the 49ers, signed on with the Broncos, who also had young scrambler Norris Weese and 1976 fourth round pick Craig Penrose. Each started one of the first four exhibitions (out of six then), and Morton, Weese and Penrose barely reached double-digit points. Spurrier was the most impressive in the Broncos’ 28-24 loss in Philadelphia.

On the charter back to Denver late that night Spurrier and I, who had known each other since being teenagers in Tennessee, played backgammon as he iced his right knee. “Don’t you think I just won the starting job?’’ Spurrier declared. “Honestly, no. I think you’ll be released,’’ I told him cautiously. “Morton will be the starter because he’s been to Super Bowls and a long-timer starter. Weese will be the relief pitcher, and Penrose is a guy they’ll develop.’’ A shocked Spurrier stopped playing and slammed the board shut.

The next morning he stomped into coach Red Miller’s office and demanded to know his status. Miller said Spurrier wouldn’t make the team, and the quarterback left camp immediately. That was the end of his playing career, and his short stop with the Broncos is rarely mentioned. But Spurrier had an incredible career as “The Head Ball Coach.’’

With Morton as QB the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl. Weese, who died at 44, and Penrose started several games the next two seasons, but Morton generally was No. 1 into the 1982 season – before John Elway arrived the following year.

So, those who claim the Broncos never had a genuine competition at quarterback haven’t studied the franchise history when three quarterbacks vying in camp was common.

A year ago this week when the Broncos were required, as other NFL teams, to officially post their depth chart before the first game of the preseason, the Broncos’ three quarterbacks were Russell Wilson, Stidham and Ben DiNucci. Released by the Broncos in May, DiNucci just had a tryout with – get this – the Steelers and could reunite with DangeRuss. Or he could return to the Broncos as the practice squad QB since he knows the Payton system.

Meanwhile, the Payton DC could list eight starters from last season – only missing Russell Wilson, Lloyd Cushenberry and Jerry Jeudy. However, the Broncos most likely will have seven new starters on defense.

In Sean’s first depth chart of ’23 with the Broncos he did note two starters at right safety – Kareem Jackson and Caden Sterns.

I think he will proclaim a tie Friday with quarterbacks Stidham and Nix. He will start Jarrett against the Colts and Bo vs. the Packers, and Wilson will get late time in all three games.

The coach said Saturday of the Broncos overall: “We still can’t see the light in at the end of the tunnel. It’s pitch black’’ in the early stage of camp.

But the tie must be broken and a decision finalized before August 26.