Bo Nix satisfied with performance in Broncos’ preseason opener

Bo Nix was the last of the six quarterbacks picked in the first round of April’s NFL Draft. And the Broncos rookie enjoyed a preseason debut that might have bettered at least four selected before him.

The Broncos used three quarterbacks in its win against the Colts. Jarrett Stidham received the start, then gave way to Nix, who, coincidentally, followed him at Auburn. (Obviously, before Nix transferred to Oregon). Then Zach Wilson finished the game.

Preseason contests often see a stream of players headed into and out of a game as coaches figure out a new roster for the fall. Results don’t count as much as specific moments. And Nix had a lot of those.

“It was a good day,” Nix told reporters. “I thought we ran the ball efficiently, made some good plays in the passing game, converted some third downs, got points when we needed to. It was a good job going into the half with points and then coming out with points. I felt like that was a good point in the game. But overall, I felt like we did a good job. Huge team win.”

So how good was Nix with the Broncos? CBS Sports ranked his performance as the second-best among the rookie six first rounders. Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick of the draft, topped them all. Then came Nix.

“Although Jarrett Stidham started the game, Nix was quick off the bench,” CBS Sports wrote. “Efficient is the best way to describe his professional debut. He completed 15 of 21 pass attempts for 125 yards and 1 touchdown to go along with 17 rushing yards. Nix has played a lot of football and that likely contributed to his comfort on the field Sunday. The Oregon product averaged 5.4 yards per pass attempt, according to TruMedia, but that was not uncharacteristic of rookie quarterbacks this weekend.”

The Broncos won the game at Indianapolis, 34-30. When Nix was under center, the Denver offense scored 20 points on five possessions. The only time the Broncos didn’t score under Nix was because of a fumble.

Broncos coach Sean McVay complimented all three of his quarterbacks. Stidham started the final two games for Denver last year. The Broncos drafted Nix, then took Wilson from the Jets in a trade.

“All three of them did a good job,” Payton said at his post-game press conference.

Nix appears on the path to be the starter. But for the preseason opener, Stidham received the opening two series before Payton sent in Nix, the 12th pick of the NFL Draft.

Courtland Sutton, the Broncos top receiver, complimented Nix for his steady play.

“I think he handled it very well,” Sutton said. “[He] had a lot of poise, a lot of control. The moment wasn’t too big for him. The moments are only going to get bigger. The preseason games don’t count, but come Week 1, whoever they decide to put out there as our starter, they’re going to have to handle that situation the best they possibly can.”

The Broncos entertain the Packers next Sunday in Denver.