The Bo Nix era has begun in Denver.
After the Broncos’ victory in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon to open the season, it should be clear
Of course, Sean Payton wouldn’t name a starting quarterback after this game – because he doesn’t have to. And actually, he shouldn’t. Payton is doing it right.
They will spend this week in training camp and then play their second preseason game against the Packers at Empower Field next Sunday. And then it will be clear whose turn it is.
And barring any serious setbacks or injuries, this man will start this game for Denver: Bo Nix.
The Broncos’ first-round pick showed it on Sunday. He’s ready to go and is efficiently running Payton’s offense, completing 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. He led four scoring drives for Denver.
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Nix got the ball quickly to open receivers. He didn’t have a single sack in his debut. And he can run when he has to, and managed three runs for 17 yards.
“I felt very calm and relaxed back there,” Nix said of his first NFL game. “It was just a play. They were still in (defensive formations like) Cover 3, quarters and man. It’s the same defense, so you just have to figure out what they’re in and then make the play that’s called.”
Of course, it also has a few rough edges. Things that need to be worked on. Mistakes that need to be fixed.
But it seems he has what it takes to be Payton’s quarterback of the present and future.
Things are going exactly as expected: A close quarterback battle in training camp that has been reduced from a three-way battle to just two – Nix and Jarrett Stidham.
And Stiddy showed a solid performance and earned his starting place in the first warm-up game.
But Bo came in and did exactly what he needed to do: run the offense. Take care of the football. Show poise and make good decisions.
If he can do the same thing next Sunday against the Packers, the deal will be settled. Then on Sunday, September 8, in Seattle, Payton will announce that Nix will be the starting quarterback.
Payton didn’t let it show on Sunday and praised all three quarterbacks who played against the Colts.
“I thought all three of them handled the hiring well. I think their decisions were good for the most part,” he said. “But it definitely gives us – I’m going beyond the quarterback, for all of those players – a little bit more insight. (…) Even in wins, just like in losses, you can find things that you do well. We have to be smart enough tomorrow when we look at the tape to clean up and correct some of the things that we didn’t do so well.”
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Bo is older than most freshmen. He is only a year younger than Zach Wilson. He is not an inexperienced college graduate.
He has played in 61 major college games, more than any college quarterback in history, and he is proving he is mature enough, smart enough and has the physical tools to lead this Broncos team into the regular season.
“He’s a rookie, but I think he’s also 26 (24), so he’s not really a rookie anymore,” Stidham said. “But he’s been great every single day. (…) He knows how to go out there and make some plays. So it was fun to watch him play today.”
