Bo Nix has yet to start a regular season game, but is already carving his name in the Denver Broncos’ history books. Nix is set to be the first Broncos rookie quarterback to start a season opener since John Elway. On top of that feat, Nix was named a team captain for the 2024 season, becoming the team’s first rookie captain since Floyd Little in 1967.

Nix was given a captain role following a vote from his fellow Bronco teammates.

“It’s an honor. It’s a privilege. I’m excited to be with this group. [I’m] excited to be captain,” said Nix. “I don’t take it lightly, I know it’s a big deal. It hasn’t happened often, but I am not going to take it for granted. Got to come to work every single day and just prove that you can be a captain.”

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, linebacker Alex Singleton, offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, and kicker Wil Lutz have all been appointed captains alongside Nix.

Bo Nix showing maturity beyond his years

During the preseason, Nix showcased a very level-headed demeanor. Highlighted by his 23-for-30 passing with 205 yards and two touchdowns, the decision to make Nix the starting quarterback was an easy one.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who named the starting quarterback, wasn’t surprised by the fact that Nix’s teammates voted him into a captain role. Despite Nix being a rookie, Payton emphasized that being named a captain wasn’t just something handed out at random.

“(It’s) something you earn,” said Payton. “… It’s unusual for a rookie to be named a captain … A first for me, just say rookie period in fairness to the process … It’s a credit to him and I think his teammates felt that he belonged in that position.”

As previously mentioned, Nix is slated to be the first Broncos rookie quarterback to start a regular season opener since Elway. 41 years ago, Elway took his first snaps in orange and blue. He would take the NFL by storm, eventually leading the Broncos to two Super Bowl championships and multiple winning seasons. Elway’s dominance would also earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Shortly after the Broncos drafted Nix, Elway took the time to share his thoughts on the incoming quarterback.

“Bo’s a mature guy, so it’ll be fun to see them working,” Elway said on the 12th overall pick. “I think Sean knows how to develop quarterbacks. He’ll keep him in the right situations, not put too much on him and allow him to improve week in and week out. Bo’s gonna see, it’s a big jump between the preseason and the regular season. I’m sure that he’ll handle that well. He’s gonna have his ups and downs as a young guy, which I had plenty of those. He’s got all the arm strength and all the talent in the world and the mind strength to be able to do it.”

The Broncos will kick off their season on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. This will be Nix’s first big NFL test. Should he continue impressing, perhaps it’s the start of an Elway-like success story.