To little surprise, the Broncos were one of six teams who used a first-round pick on a quarterback during this year’s draft. Bo Nix – head coach Sean Payton‘s target throughout the pre-draft process – is in line to serve as Denver’s starter at some point in the near future. 
The Oregon alum is one of three signal-callers who has spent time with the first-team offense during offseason practices to date. Nix is competing with trade acquisition Zach Wilson and returnee Jarrett Stidham. The latter has familiarity with Payton’s scheme dating back to his two starts at the end of the 2023 campaign, and he opened OTAs tentatively atop the depth chart.
Nix has impressed so far, though, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes (video link). The 24-year-old made a record-breaking 61 starts in college, and that experience should allow him to transition to the pro game fairly quickly. Nix’s accuracy was a central aspect of his success with the Ducks, and his ability to translate that at the NFL level will be a key talking point for the Broncos if he sees playing time as a rookie. Mike Klis of 9News confirms the QB1 job is Nix’s to lose at this point, adding he is on pace to start Week 1.
Of course, this week’s minicamp – and, more importantly, training camp this summer – will more clearly define the pecking order at the position. Denver took on an historic dead money charge by releasing Russell Wilson, clearing the way for Payton to move forward in his Broncos tenure with his preference under center. If that proves to be Nix right away, he will be expected to elevate an offense which put up middling numbers in several categories last year.
Klis adds that the battle for QB2 between Stidham and Wilson will be worth monitoring. The former is due $6MM in 2024, but only $1MM of his salary is guaranteed. The latter, by contrast, is owed the guaranteed $2.75MM Denver agreed to take on as part of the trade agreement with the Jets. Klis notes the financial element of the situation could come into play, and that will especially be true if Wilson can demonstrate why he was a recent No. 2 pick.
Like all teams, nothing is truly settled at this point of the offseason. Still, signs still point to Nix holding down starting duties right away as the Broncos continue to sort out their quarterback pecking order over the course of the offseason.
Beating out the next Tom Brady is impressive.
Jimmy G? Oh, you mean the next next Tom Brady. Or perhaps next next next.
Stidham.. he was called the next Brady when Patriots drafted him
I’m aware of this fact.
I remember The Summer of Masshole vividly.
It was hilarious to me when they claimed this schmoe was the next Brady back then.
And, well, let’s just say it’s only gotten funnier as the sample size on his career expands.
I keep telling myself that this could work, but I can’t shake my very serious doubts. Maybe he’ll start strongly, maybe not, but the thing that Nix will need to do no matter what is be able to stay on schedule in Payton’s offense. Wilson’s inability to do so is what cost him his job; even in a reduced rookie capacity, that will be the most important aspect of Nix’s job to start.
His resume in college is impressive I think he’ll be fine
I do think there’s a very high probability he and Payton can fit well enough together for him to put up top 15 production while on a cheap rookie deal, so in that sense, I could see it being a big win… but I also don’t see much likelihood of him ever being a true star, so it feels like an odd first round move with limited upside. Not necessarily a bad move, though. Just an odd path.
“very high probability he and Payton can fit well enough together for Nix to put up top 15 production”
Around top 15 qb production last year, Jalen hurts, Joe burrow, Hebert.
So a high chance Nix will be on their level? But he won’t be a star? And limited upside?
Hurts with a fired offensive coordinator, Herbert with a whole fired coaching staff with a badly injured receiver group, and Burrow completely hobbled by injuries, as opposed to Nix being given a perfect play caller for him. I think in a normal year at least Burrow and Herbert are very comfortably top ten quarterbacks in the league.
This is what happens wheh you stare at stats. Burrow and Hebert are excellent QBs Hurts has shown he can play. They aren’t mid range QBs.
The young man hasn’t even played a down in the NFL and you already got him written off for failure? Amazing.
I didn’t say that he was a failure. I said that I wasn’t definitively positive about his chances. Obviously, I could be wrong, and I often am. In either case, I know that Nix will have to be consistent to earn and keep his job. Payton did not have that last year, and will likely be wanting to reinforce that in a young player. Independently from Payton’s needs and the Broncos’ situation, Nix on his end also had consistency issues at both Auburn and Oregon. Perhaps he’s conquered them, or will with Payton’s help, but he’ll need to show that to be successful.
So, no, I haven’t written him down as anything yet. I am concerned a bit, but until Nix plays, those are just inklings. That’s what happens with most young players going into the league. Have you never had a prospect that you weren’t high on or were hesitant to endorse? I’m sure that it’s happened.
Absolutely. I’m not sold on Stidham and even less encouraged by Zach.But when you said serious doubts, that’s where I got my opinion. As for Zach, he stunk it up with the Jets. Stidham? Less then spectacular. Serviceable backup, maybe.
I can agree with that.
Nix has large upside because his resume and production. Played in multiple offenses and played alot in college. If he doesn’t work for Payton he’ll work somewhere else
what an ugly situation for a rookie QB…. kid has no one who he can watch and learn from for a year.
Bo will have two QBs showing him all the wrong things to do so he might benefit from that if he’s a fast learner. Regardless of what happens it’s always fun watching Sean Payton trying to explain why he hasn’t groomed another Drew Brees.
There’s certainly worse situations for rookie QBs. I think Nix and MCarthy actually ended up in decent situations
Broncos at least have Sutton, Mims, drafted Nix former WR Franklin, have a decent TE in Dulcich, decent rb who could be something if they stay healthy. Most importantly they have an oline.
Minnesota has Jefferson, Addison, elite TE in Hockenson, and an oline as well.
Worst is obviously Patriots
2nd worst is Bears
3rd worst is Commanders
Patriots don’t have an oline don’t have much at wr te rb
Bears invested in the skills positions with swift kmet Moore Allen Odunze but man that oline is shaky and things could fall apart real fast if that oline turns into a revolving turn style again.
Commanders invested in the oline and offense for Daniels. Idk how much the investments will pay off but aside from McLaurin they don’t really have much at WR but invested in oline and Robinson and Ekeler are a fine rb room.
I’m more worried about the Commanders’ tackle situation than the Bears’. Also more worried about their offensive scheme.
I agree about the Bears versus Washington in terms of offensive line. Both teams are adjusting to new schemes and rosters, and until we see them in person, it’ll be hard to judge their improvement or depression. Washington is also, however, committing a holistic regime and possibly branding change to go with it.
The Bears have the positive of at least having two veteran receivers who have produced at a high level to fall back on if all else (including their prized new rookie) fails. Washington doesn’t, and might have a tougher division, so I’d rate them as maybe worse off by a bit. I’m not disputing that those options are towards the bottom, however. Chicago has potential in a lot of areas, but we’ll have to see the finished product first to judge. There’s a lot of novelty in that offense right now that has yet to produce as a pro, or at least as a Bear.
You don’t know what you’re yammering on about.
Didnt dispute a single thing I said. Contributed nothing to the conversation. Look if you’re just gonna waste time being stupid move long elsewhere and apologize to a tree for wasting oxygen along the way.
Countering a comment you don’t like with an insult doesn’t contribute much to the conversation either. Sometimes it’s just better to let people think what they want to think.
He has Payton. He has a QB coach. He has an offensive coach. He’ll be fine.
Denver should have signed Tannehill for a one year deal. Fans underestimate veteran wisdom and experience in the league
It’s next sign of the apocalypse Nixon starting Day 1.