The Denver Broncos surprised pretty much everyone around the football world when they selected former Auburn and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix No. 12 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nix was the sixth quarterback off the board within the first-12 selections. Some reasoned that Denver might have panicked ater the Minnesota Vikings traded up for J.J. McCarthy with the 10 pick.
However, quarterback was obviously a need for head coach Sean Payton and Co. Denver released Russell Wilson during the spring after a failed two-year experiment. It then acquired former New York Jets first-round bust Zach Wilson ahead of the draft.
Moving forward, Nix will be competing with Wilson and holdover Jarrett Stidham for the starting job in Denver.
At this point, it seems that Nix might have the advantage given what Payton is saying during organized team activities (OTAs).
“He’s farther along than most would be,” Payton on Bo Nix, via DNVR. “We’re talking about a player who’s played 61 games. He’s extremely smart. He’s picked it up very quickly.”
Related: Denver Broncos standing in Sportsnaut’s offseason NFL power rankings
Bo Nix as potential Denver Broncos starting quarterback
Nix did appear in 61 games since entering the college ranks with the Auburn Tigers back in 2019. His five-year run in college included the quarterback attempting 1,936 passes.
This experience factor could very well loom large in the Broncos’ quarterback competition during training camp. If he’s picking up the playbook in a quick manner, that’ll only be magnified further.
Related: Ranking Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix among NFL starting QBs
The competition also isn’t too great.
Wilson was acquired earlier in the spring after busting with the New York Jets. The former No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft heads to Denver having thrown 23 touchdowns compared to 25 interceptions in 34 games (33 starts). He fell out of favor big time over the past couple seasons.
As for Stidham, he has to be defined as a journeyman. The former New England Patriots fourth-round pick has started all of four games in five NFL seasons, accumulating eight touchdowns and eight picks during that span.
There is a real opportunity for Nix in Denver this summer. Payton’s quote adds another element to that.