Bo Nix officially named starting QB for Denver Broncos

It’s Bo Time in the Mile-High City. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton named Bo Nix the starting quarterback Wednesday, getting the nod over Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

Nix, Denver’s first round selection (12th overall) out of Oregon, will make his NFL debut in the Week 1 road tilt against the Seattle Seahawks.

“I think he’s been consistent,” Payton said, via Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “It’s not a reflection on Jarrett or even Zach. It’s about what [Nix] has been able to do quickly.”

Payton added: “It was the overall body of work.”

Nix will become the first Broncos rookie signal-caller to start in Week 1 since John Elway in 1983. As we know, that turned out pretty well for both Elway and the Broncos.

It's Bo Time.

HC Sean Payton has named Bo Nix our starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/R80y6ziIcX

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 21, 2024

Nix, 24, won the job after two impressive showings in the preseason. Against the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, Nix completed 23-of-30 passes for 211 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He added 29 yards on the ground.

Nix was the fifth quarterback taken in the 2024 NFL Draft but has outperformed his counterparts in the preseason. Among rookie quarterbacks, Nix ranks second in completion rate (76.7%) and first in passing yards, touchdowns and passer rating (117.5).

“I think it’s a really good fit,” Nix said after Sunday’s 27-2 victory over the Packers. “Especially [Sunday], I came out here and was very comfortable with the first few plays that were called. They were kind of keeping it within my comfort level, and that’s huge, especially for someone’s who’s trying to get in there and execute. You want to run plays that you feel comfortable with, and that’s what coach Payton was calling.”

Broncos hoping they’ve found franchise QB in Bo Nix

Nix has looked the part early, which should come as no surprise given his experience coming out of college. He made 61 starts across five seasons at Auburn and Oregon, the most in NCAA history for a quarterback. Nix had more NCAA passing yards (15,352) and completions (1,286) than any other first round pick in NFL history, according to The 33rd Team.

The Broncos are hoping Nix is their guy for the future, though they’ve been here before. Since Peyton Manning‘s retirement after the 2015 season, 14 different quarterbacks have started under center in Denver. Only Trevor Siemian (13-11) and Brett Rypien (2-1) posted a winning record.