Bo Nix had a storied career in collegiate football, playing three seasons with Auburn University and two with the University of Oregon. He won Freshman of the Year in the SEC and was a Heisman Trophy finalist for his performance in the 2023 season.
As the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nix is getting closer to becoming the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in his rookie season. Denver is coming off an under .500 season with Russell Wilson, one of the most well-known quarterbacks in the NFL, leading the charge. However, that charge wasn’t enough to lead the Broncos to a positive season.
Denver hopes Nix can turn some of its luck around. After his preseason performance, that seems likely.
Before the preseason games, Nix was up for the starting quarterback position against Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Stidham has five years of experience in the NHL, and Wilson was the second-overall draft pick in 2021 to the New York Jets.
It’s safe to say Nix had some steep competition. But it’s also safe to say he was up for the challenge.
The Broncos have played two preseason games — against the Indiana Colts on August 11 and against the Green Bay Packers on August 18. With Denver winning both games, Nix has received praise for his performance — and rightfully so.
Following his high praise, Broncos coach Sean Payton decided to announce Nix as Denver’s starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
His showing against the Packers, specifically, sealed the deal in the minds of viewers and fans. Completing eight of nine passes for 80 yards and a touchdown while throwing no interceptions. In comparison, Stidham completed seven of 11 passes for 65 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception.
But what has made Nix so dynamic and integral to the Bronco offense in these games was his sheer ability to read the field. He may not have thrown highlight-reel-type passes, but he understands the field better than his quarterback competition and how to optimize the space in front of him best. He can recognize his options and pick the right people to pass to, which his stats clearly reflect.
This isn’t to say he will be the best quarterback in the NFL because he hasn’t played in an official NFL game yet. Although Denver bested the Packers in a 27-2 landslide, Green Bay wasn’t starting its best players. Additionally, preseason is nowhere near the caliber of play required in the regular season, so just because he is having a stellar season does not indicate a stellar regular season.
However, it’s a start. And with a relatively tough regular season schedule ahead, Nix has a lot of work to do to keep his starting spot. The Broncos start their season in Seattle against the Seahawks, and while Seattle comes from a similar past season to Denver, it’ll be an interesting matchup for both teams.
Additionally, the Broncos don’t get their bye week until Week 14, with only four games after to finish the season. Having a bye week that late in the season is extremely difficult for a team like Denver, which hasn’t been in the best shape to make a playoff game in recent history. The Broncos will have to set themselves up to be in playoff contention before the season’s final five weeks, or else having their bye week so late could be detrimental.
Nix has a lot of pressure on his shoulders as a rookie quarterback who just earned the starting role. One rookie quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is already out of contention this season due to a meniscus injury, and anything can happen. While the preseason has been stellar for Nix, he has a whole new world ahead of him. And while five years of collegiate football has trained him well, the first few games will be the true test of his preparedness for the big leagues.
