The Broncos are officially Bo-lievers.
Rookie Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in April’s draft, has been named Denver’s starting quarterback and will make his regular-season debut Sept. 8 at Seattle. Head coach Sean Payton informed Nix and fellow quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson of the decision on Wednesday before telling reporters after practice.
Nix is set to become Denver’s first rookie quarterback to start opening weekend since John Elway in 1983. Though Elway would go on to all-time heights and a pair of Super Bowl trophies, Nix shouldn’t have to worry much about matching Elway’s debut performance. The Duke completed 1 of 8 passes for 14 yards and an interception, was sacked four times and then benched against Pittsburgh on Sept. 4, 1983.
Nix will surely face his share of ups and downs, but Payton’s been confident in his maturity and poise since the draft and players in the locker room have seen it on display over the course of the offseason program, training camp and the preseason.
“Certainly you see a guy that’s not afraid to compete,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said recently. “I think that’s the biggest factor for him as he’s come into this camp. You could put yourself behind by playing hesitant. It’s a mistake that probably every player makes at some point in his career and especially as a young guy. We haven’t seen any of that from Bo and that’s been a really, really cool thing to watch. Certainly, he’s going to keep building on that confidence too.
“I said it the other day, he has a very unique combination of humility and confidence that goes a long way for his position and, certainly, as a rookie stepping in here with a lot of pressure on himself. He’s taken that in stride and there’s no fear of competition and there’s no fear of getting out there and going for it.”
Payton staged a so-called quarterback battle between Nix, the journeyman veteran in Stidham and the reclamation project in Wilson.
More than an actual horse race, though, the true competition this summer was Nix against the clock. Put simply: Could a rookie, even a 24-year-old with 61 collegiate starts under his belt, nail down Payton’s offense well enough and show enough on the field to get the nod?
The answer: a fairly clear yes. Very few quarterbacks are truly ready to start in the NFL when they first get that assignment, but Nix by all accounts learned fast and acquitted himself well during training camp.
A pair of preseason performances at Indianapolis and at home against Green Bay only solidified his position.
Nix played seven preseason series and went 23 of 30 for 205 yards, two touchdowns, no sacks and no turnovers. He rushed for 29 yards on six attempts. Just as important: Of his seven drives, six generated multiple first downs and points.
“We’re trying to develop and teach and coach,” Payton said after Nix went 8-of-9 passing for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Packers. “We’re trying to get these guys stuff they do well. Part of our job is to understand their strengths and then try to build upon them. I think he’s done a good job of working, digesting it and really getting into the game and looking at the gameplan.”
That has been Nix’s calling card essentially since middle school. He took over the starting job on varsity midway through his eighth-grade season and didn’t give it up. He started as a true freshman at Auburn in 2019 and spent three seasons there before transferring to Oregon and starting two more standout years.
Now he’s the guy from the start once again, at the game’s highest level.
“To see him come in and handle what he’s handled so far, it’s been really fun to see him do his thing. I’m excited for him,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. “He’s handling this early couple games of preseason success really well, but he’s not letting it go to his head. He’s taking it in stride, like ‘What else can I get better at?’ What else can we get better at?’ We like this route, we like this, but let’s try and do it like this next time and we might be able to get more yards and take it to another level.’
“To have a young guy like that, to be that hungry and not complacent, is really encouraging.”
Now the question turns to the rest of the quarterback room. Will Stidham or Wilson win the No. 2 job? Will one of them be released or potentially traded before the Aug. 27 roster cutdown or will Payton decide to keep all three to start the season?
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