The Denver Broncos will ride rookie quarterback Bo Nix into the regular season.
Head coach Sean Payton announced Nix as the starter to open the 2024 season.
"Bo Nix is gonna be our starting quarterback," Payton said on Wednesday. "I felt like, and I said this to you guys two weeks ago, you know, that room has been outstanding. (Jarrett) Stidham, certainly with his experience, and then being able to work with Zach Wilson, all three of those guys. We've got some tough decisions as we get into the roster."
The news comes as little surprise given how the Super Bowl-winning coach has discussed the rookie signal-caller since selecting him with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Still, it's notable as Nix becomes the first rookie quarterback to start Week 1 for the Broncos since John Elway.
"Obviously, that's great to share with such a great player like John Elway," Nix told reporters. "Doesn't matter when your first start is. Doesn't matter if you have to wait or you go right now, you just want to go out there and get the win, and ultimately compete at a high level. ... So that's what my goal is at the beginning is just to give our team the best chance to win games."
Nix impressed during preseason action, displaying command over the offense, good accuracy and athleticism when the play breaks down. Over two preseason tilts, Nix has led the Broncos on six scoring drives. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions.
It might just be preseason against backup opponents, but Nix has displayed the traits that mesh well with what Payton wants in his offense. A quick decision-maker with accuracy, Nix should thrive under Payton's tutelage. With 61 collegiate starts over five seasons under his belt and 1,936 pass attempts between Auburn and Oregon, Nix doesn't need time to marinate. He's ready to go Week 1 against the Seahawks.
Or as teammate Patrick Surtain IIput it on Wednesday, "he knows how to win ball games."
The Broncos entered the offseason rotation between Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Wilson dropped out of the cycle during training camp, leaving Nix and Stidham to duke it out. With Stidham not pulling away after a year in Payton's scheme, the decision became clear.
"Bo will start and we've kind of gone through our process," Payton added. "In the very beginning of it all, just speaking with George (Paton) and Greg (Penner) and understanding that oftentimes these things take care of themselves. We're not in a hurry to arrive at those types of decisions. We want to see it. And I think it's important, relative to the team, that we handle it that way. He's been outstanding. Obviously, there's a ton of room for growth, there's a lot of things that he needs to work on. I've already spoke with all three of those guys. Stiddy will be a great resource for him, as well as Zach. We just, we feel like that offseason, it's such an important position, we made some really good decisions and we're gonna have a chance to see them unfold as the season goes on."
The Nix era will kick off on Sunday, Sept. 8, in Seattle.
