Former Denver Broncos general manager John Elway still laments not drafting Josh Allen, but Bo Nix's recent takeoff is helping him get over the blunder.
"John Elway says any remorse over bypassing [Buffalo Bills QB] Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft is quickly dissipating with rookie Bo Nix's rapid rise, suggesting the Denver Broncos have finally found their next franchise quarterback," the Associated Press' Arnie Melendrez Stapleton wrote Thursday.
In 2018, Elway selected edge-rusher Bradley Chubb with pick No. 5 instead of Allen, who fell to Buffalo at No. 7. In July, he told Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" that was his "biggest mistake" while he served as the team's GM from 2011-20.
Chubb — traded to the Dolphins in 2022 — is a solid player, but he's no Allen. As of Thursday, DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Bills QB as its MVP favorite (+125).
Nix still has a long way to go before he enters the same tier as Allen, but Denver should feel optimistic about his future.
Since October, the No. 12 overall pick has led rookie QBs in several categories, including yards passing (1,615) and TD passes (13), via CBS Sports.
On Wednesday, Nix earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week after he recorded season highs in completion percentage (84.9%), passing yards (307) and TD passes (four) in a 38-6 win over the Falcons.
"We've seen the progression of Bo in continuing to get better each week and [head coach Sean Payton] giving him more each week and trusting him more and more to where last week we saw his best game of the year," Elway said, according to Melendrez Stapleton.
"I think the sky's the limit," Elway added. "and that's just going to continue to get better and better."
Elway led the club to the playoffs during his rookie season with Denver in 1983. Nix — the first rookie to start for Denver since Elway — could do the same after a 6-5 start. The Pro Football Hall of Famer certainly wouldn't mind if he did, as that would show the Broncos may have their next franchise cornerstone.
