The Denver Broncos turned the page from Russell Wilson during the offseason, and hope that first-round pick Bo Nix is the key to a bright future for the franchise.
According to at least one former NFL general manager and Executive of The Year winner, the future might be now in the Mile High City.
“Nix will likely win the job,” former Minnesota Vikings GM Jeff Diamond writes for The 33rd Team. “But he should be pushed, mostly by Stidham, so this will be an interesting August competition.”
As Diamond suggests, there might not even be much of a competition for Nix this summer, given the quarterback room the Broncos have constructed.
The only roadblocks to Nix leading the offense onto the field Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks are veteran journeymen Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, who is at best a reclamation project after a colossally disappointing start to his career with the New York Jets.
“Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton has praised first-round QB Bo Nix’s maturity and work ethic,” Diamond points out, explaining the dynamic of the Broncos’ quarterback situation. “Nix’s extensive college experience — a five-year starter at Auburn and Oregon — included a terrific 2023 season. He had a 12-2 record, an outstanding 77.9 percent completion rate, 45 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.
“Jarrett Stidham is a career backup who is more familiar with Payton’s system after starting two games last season with a 1-1 record and a decent 87.7 passer rating. Zach Wilson was a bust as the Jets’ 2021 second-overall pick. He has a 12-21 career record as a starter with a dismal 73.2 passer rating, but perhaps Payton can coach him up.”
Is Denver Broncos QB Job Bo Nix’s to Lose?
There is always the chance that Stidham’s experience could give him the chance to be a placeholder starter until Payton and staff view Nix is ready to take the reigns of the offense, it’s more likely that as training camp wears on and Nix becomes more comfortable in the scheme that Denver will turn to the rookie.
“Specifically to Bo,” Payton told reporters during minicamp practices this spring. “He’s doing really well. He’s picking it up. There’s a lot that’s going in. He’s throwing the ball extremely well.”
