ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It is Bo time.
Following Wednesday’s observe, Head Coach Sean Payton named rookie Bo Nix because the Broncos’ beginning quarterback.
“Bo Nix goes to be our beginning quarterback,” Payton mentioned. “I felt like — and I mentioned this to [the media] two weeks in the past — that room has been excellent. [Jarrett] Stidham, definitely together with his expertise after which with the ability to work with Zach Wilson. All three of these guys. We have some selections as we get into the roster. I do not wish to get into all the opposite roster battles. That is not for at this time. However Bo will begin. We have type of gone by our course of. Within the very starting of all of it, simply talking with [General Manager] George [Paton] and [Owner & CEO] Greg [Penner] and understanding that oftentimes this stuff maintain themselves, however we’re not in a rush to reach at these kind of choices. We wish to see it. I feel it is vital relative to the workforce that we deal with it that method. He is been excellent. Clearly there is a ton of room for progress. There’s a number of issues that he must work on.”
Payton mentioned he advised Nix and the Broncos’ different quarterbacks of the information earlier than Wednesday’s observe.
Nix, the Twelfth-overall decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, will make his first profession begin towards the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. The Oregon product will change into simply the second Broncos rookie to begin at quarterback in Week 1, becoming a member of John Elway in 1983.
“It is going to be a particular second,” Nix mentioned of his first begin. “Clearly, that is nice to share with such an incredible participant like John Elway, however [I] positively wish to [go] on the market and [do] no matter I can do in the end for the workforce. It does not matter when your first begin is. It does not matter if it’s a must to wait otherwise you go proper now. You simply wish to go on the market and get the primary win and in the end compete at a excessive stage and provides your workforce the most effective probability doable. That is what my aim is at first, simply to offer our workforce the most effective probability to go on the market and win video games each week.”
Requested whether or not Nix could be the season-long starter, Payton mentioned each participant on the roster must carry out to take care of their function in the course of the 2024 season.
“This goes for the workforce: There isn’t any tour exemptions for 17 weeks like [the BMW Championship at] Fort Pines proper now,” Payton mentioned. “These guys are incomes every week and taking part in nicely every week. It is not simply the QBs, however you aren’t getting a season exemption. You have to play.”
Nix started to compete for the function instantly after the draft, as he cut up first-team reps with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson in the course of the offseason program and early a part of coaching camp. He and Stidham then alternated alternatives with the first-team offense as coaching camp progressed.
In his first preseason motion, Nix entered the sport following Stidham and accomplished 15-of-21 passes for 125 yards and a landing for a 102.3 quarterback score towards the Colts.
On Sunday, Nix began the Broncos’ preseason dwelling opener and posted a near-flawless efficiency. The rookie accomplished 8-of-9 passes for 80 yards, a landing and a 140.7 quarterback score.
By way of two video games, Nix has accomplished 23-of-30 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns and a 116.7 quarterback score. Nix has additionally rushed six instances for 29 yards. The rookie didn’t throw an interception or take a sack in his two preseason appearances.
“The bigger physique of labor,” mentioned Payton when requested what separated Nix within the competitors. “There’s sure issues proper now with Stiddy’s expertise that you simply see. I might say a number of the off-schedule motion throws. I feel he is been constant. It is not likely a mirrored image on Jarrett and even Zach. It is among the issues that he is been in a position to do fairly shortly. His arm power down the sector — all of the issues after we evaluated him. You type of belief your instincts.”