Sean Payton drafted Bo Nix as the 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Analysts originally projected him the Oregon graduate as a second rounder, but the Denver Broncos required a fresh face after the departure of Russell Wilson, so they moved up and took Nix early.
The gamble seemingly paid off in the pre-season. Nix already possessed the arm talent, but he surprised everyone by learning Payton’s playbook quickly. The veteran head coach did provide hints along the way that they hit the bullseye with Nix.
Yet, he was still fighting to be the starter for the Broncos against Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Stidham was the favorite for the job and Wilson, the wild card. However, his stock fell as both Nix and Wilson continued to impress with eye-catching performances.
Nix completed 76.7% of his passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, receiving an 80.4 rating from PFF. Payton wasted no time declaring Bo Nix as the starting quarterback and Stidham as his backup.
The Broncos appear a changed side. They are among the five teams who won all of their games in pre-season. Seventh-year veteran Mike McGlinchey shared the mood at Mile High on Friday. In his speech, the veteran offensive tackle who has the job of protecting Nix described the situation before and after the 24-year-old’s arrival.
He [Bo Nix] has come and be authentically himself, and I think that’s all you can ask for him. He doesn’t have to be somebody that he’s not, just because he’s the superstar quarterback of an NFL franchise. Mike McGlinchey said
While McGlinchey did not name-call former quarterback Russell Wilson who left the franchise on bad terms, it was clear whom he was referring to as the ‘superstar quarterback.’
ESPN predicts Bo Nix’s rookie season statistics
Nix has the hard task of making the Broncos a playoff team for the first time since they won the Super Bowl in 2015. A panel of ESPN analysts put out a plausible statistic that the former Duck can achieve in his rookie year.
According to ESPN’s fantasy football page, Bo Nix may complete 62.3% of his passes for 3,155 yards, 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and four fumbles while adding 44 carries for 190 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
Nix. in his final season in college football, threw for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and only 3 INTs. His ball placement has always been a massive talking point because, in 61 games across his college career, he never threw more than seven picks. So, the Broncos fans are in for a treat in their opening game against the Seattle Seahawks.
