Denver Broncos training camp has kicked off and the biggest question is whether or not Bo Nix will start at quarterback.
News outlets continue to report a QB competition brewing for the Broncos. And Sean Payton said as much himself back in March.
But when this camp is all said and done, Bo Nix will start for Payton and the Broncos.
Bo Nix will start for Broncos in 2024, all year
Competition? Not at this position.
Yes, he’s a rookie, but if Nix can’t beat out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, the Broncos are in trouble. At least for 2024.
Last year, Payton’s first in Denver, Russell Wilson “competed” with Stidham and Ben DiNucci in the preseason. And just like last season, if you can’t beat career backups, you’re not a legitimate NFL QB. Wilson rose to the test and played solid football for Denver before the late-season drama.
No matter the team, quarterback is the most-important player. That’s even more evident when the head coach is an offensive guru like Payton.
There will be a ton of pressure on Nix, and there already is. All eyes are on him from the media and fans. And the biggest question from fans is, “Is he the guy?”
Even when he throws an interception in practice, he’s got to prove he can bounce back. Which he did on Saturday, with three touchdowns. We’re talkin’ about practice!
But the rookie is up for the “competition” and he wants to start.
“I feel like we have a great, healthy competition going on,” Nix said on Saturday. “It’s good to be in a room with those guys. I learn so much from them.
“I think if I achieve my personal best, then I’m not only doing the team a favor, but I’m doing those guys who are competing against me a favor because they’re getting my best,” he continued. “That’s all I can do, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do. Competition is the main point of life, so that’s what I enjoy doing.”
To Nix, competition is the main point of life. It’s an interesting look into the psyche of the odds-on favorite to be the Broncos next starting quarterback.
And what does Payton think of his three-man QB rotation and “competition”?
“They’re doing well. I think they’re doing well,” the head coach said on Saturday. “We don’t have a sum total, but the rotation has been pretty consistent. I think that will begin to change a little bit as we get into the next week and a half to two weeks.”
Here, he’s hinting to possibly cutting the competition from a three-horse race down to two. Nix and Stidham have practiced well, each getting reps with the ones, but Zach Wilson has been inconsistent. Even if Wilson did have a solid day on Saturday.
While this competition is a bit of gamesmanship from the old ball coach, Payton is going to have to narrow this fight down and eventually name a starter.
Payton needs to name a starter soon, get him the majority of the reps
In his first year with the Broncos, Sean Payton was stuck with Russell Wilson at quarterback.
And after a terrible start to the season, Payton, Wilson and Co. went on a run, winning five straight and nearly defeating playoff-bound Houston, too. That loss to the Texans ended their playoff hopes, and the head man determined it was time to move on.
This year is completely different.
Payton got to hand-pick his quarterback. At the very least, he got to choose to use that first-round pick on a quarterback.
And remember, first-round draft picks are incredibly valuable. We saw that the last two years when the Broncos were without a pick that high, plus most of the current QB starters were taken in the first.
Simply, you can’t use a pick that high—No. 12—and not play him.
Bo Nix will start for the Broncos, this year.
Payton needs to put him to the test early and often because, in all likelihood, the rookie will go through some struggles.
Let’s be honest, these Broncos are set up to be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2024. Payton and George Paton rebuilt the receiver room, including restructuring Courtland Sutton’s contract. That group and the offensive line should be two of the best on the team. But tight end, with Greg Dulcich, and running back are two positions offensively with multiple question marks.
There are many moving pieces in that offense—like Josh Reynolds replacing Jerry Jeudy, the addition of Nix’s former teammate Troy Franklin at wideout, and Audric Estime may start ahead of Javonte Williams at running back. Add in a rookie quarterback learning the NFL and a new offense, and issues will abound.
Expect Nix to throw some interceptions, and take sacks when he shouldn’t, and miss open receivers. It happens. Especially to rookies. And that’s when Broncos Country needs to have patience with Bo Nix.
Ups and downs are expected for the rookie quarterback, and for this team as a whole.
But Bo Nix will start for the Broncos this fall. And by the end of his first season, Payton and Broncos fans will have a much better understanding if he’s the QB of the future or not.