Bo Nix named Broncos’ starting quarterback

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It’s Bo time.

Following Wednesday’s practice, Head Coach Sean Payton named rookie Bo Nix as the Broncos’ starting quarterback.

“Bo Nix is going to be our starting quarterback,” Payton said. “I felt like — and I said this to [the media] two weeks ago — that room has been outstanding. [Jarrett] Stidham, certainly with his experience and then being able to work with Zach Wilson. All three of those guys. We’ve got some decisions as we get into the roster. I don’t want to get into all the other roster battles. That’s not for today. But Bo will start. We’ve kind of gone through our process. In the very beginning of it all, just speaking with [General Manager] George [Paton] and [Owner & CEO] Greg [Penner] and understanding that oftentimes these things take care of themselves, but we’re not in a hurry to arrive at those type of decisions. We want to see it. I think it’s important relative to the team that we handle it that way. He’s been outstanding. Obviously there’s a ton of room for growth. There’s a lot of things that he needs to work on.”

Payton said he told Nix and the Broncos’ other quarterbacks of the news before Wednesday’s practice.

Nix, the 12th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will make his first career start against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. The Oregon product will become just the second Broncos rookie to start at quarterback in Week 1, joining John Elway in 1983.

“It will be a special moment,” Nix said of his first start. “Obviously, that’s great to share with such a great player like John Elway, but [I] definitely want to [go] out there and [do] whatever I can do ultimately for the team. It doesn’t matter when your first start is. It doesn’t matter if you have to wait or you go right now. You just want to go out there and get the first win and ultimately compete at a high level and give your team the best chance possible. That’s what my goal is at the beginning, just to give our team the best chance to go out there and win games every week.”

Asked whether Nix would be the season-long starter, Payton said every player on the roster will have to perform to maintain their role during the 2024 season.

“This goes for the team: There’s no tour exemptions for 17 weeks like [the BMW Championship at] Castle Pines right now,” Payton said. “These guys are earning each week and playing well each week. It’s not just the QBs, but you don’t get a season exemption. You’ve got to play.”

Nix began to compete for the role immediately after the draft, as he split first-team reps with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson during the offseason program and early part of training camp. He and Stidham then alternated opportunities with the first-team offense as training camp progressed.

In his first preseason action, Nix entered the game following Stidham and completed 15-of-21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown for a 102.3 quarterback rating against the Colts.

On Sunday, Nix started the Broncos’ preseason home opener and posted a near-flawless performance. The rookie completed 8-of-9 passes for 80 yards, a touchdown and a 140.7 quarterback rating.

Through two games, Nix has completed 23-of-30 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns and a 116.7 quarterback rating. Nix has also rushed six times for 29 yards. The rookie did not throw an interception or take a sack in his two preseason appearances.

“The larger body of work,” said Payton when asked what separated Nix in the competition. “There’s certain things right now with Stiddy’s experience that you see. I would say a lot of the off-schedule movement throws. I think he’s been consistent. It’s not really a reflection on Jarrett or even Zach. It’s some of the things that he’s been able to do pretty quickly. His arm strength down the field — all the things when we evaluated him. You kind of trust your instincts.”