Getty Image / Todd Rosenberg
Many were stunned when the Denver Broncos took Bo Nix with the 12th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Daft to be the centerpiece of the rebuild of the franchise. After all, he was already 24-years old on draft day, and lacked some of the top-end traits that first-round quarterbacks usually have.
But, since the moment the Broncos picked Bo Nix, head coach Sean Peyton has been adamant that Bo Nix is a special player that is going to fit his system perfectly. That sentiment is now being echoed by NFL insider Dianna Russini.
Bo Nix has had, by all accounts, a very good training camp, and his preseason debut against the Colts went well. He went 15/21 for 125 yards and a touchdown while adding 17 yards on three carries and not taking any sacks. I’m sure the Broncos would like to see a few more explosive plays in the passing offense, but overall that’s a pretty good start.
All of Bo Nix’s throws from his preseason debut pic.twitter.com/OGProOm45d
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) August 11, 2024
It was supposed to be a three-way competition in Denver between Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Zach Wilson. Stidham got the start in that first preseason game. But, it will be Bo Nix starting the second preseason game, which was the plan announced last Friday before the exhibition against the Colts.
That’s not all. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, expect Bo Nix to be the starter when the regular season opens up on September 8 when the Broncos travel to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
“Bo Nix is a stud. He operates in this Sean Payton offense like a veteran. It would be a surprise if he’s not starter week 1,” Russini said on Twitter.
Russini also praised Zach Wilson, saying he is having a great camp, as well.
It’s natural to be skeptical about reports like these, and the Broncos have seemingly always had ways to get the media to provide a rosy outlook about them. But, Russini is usually a straight shooter. And, the Bo Nix was saw at Oregon for the 2022 and 2023 seasons was much better than the one we saw at Auburn from 2019-2021. While he’s already an old rookie, the Broncos are hoping that improvement can continue under a head coach renowned for working with quarterbacks in Sean Peyton.
Denver takes on the Green Bay Packers Sunday night in their second preseason game, and Bo Nix should get a few drives against a talented Green Bay first-team defense.