The Denver Broncos haven't made the playoffs since Peyton Manning's tenure ended after the 2015 season.
Rookie first-round pick and newly appointed starting quarterback Bo Nix faces the challenge of reversing this trend, which will require surmounting significant odds.
According to Manning, irrespective of this season's results, the experience Nix gains will be invaluable for his future.
“He’s had a great camp. He’s had a great offseason, he’s used the time. You knew his experience, his maturity would be an advantage for him. And he’s picked up the system quickly, you can tell,” Manning told reporters on Aug. 21. “So happy for him. What a great opportunity. I know what that’s like, starting as a rookie in your first game. But he’ll be ready and pulling hard for him.
“He doesn’t need any advice from me. He knows he’s gonna have to lean on his teammates and the veteran players have got to help him. They’ve gotta do their part. They’ve gotta play good [defense], they gotta run the ball, gotta make plays for him. But he’ll be ready. As [Broncos head coach Sean Payton] said, he’s been a great student. The cerebral part of the game, he’s picked up. Look, it’s a marathon, not a sprint as a rookie. But I’m a fan of playing right away. Getting the experience is only going to make him better.”
Nix has achieved a 76.7% completion rate, throwing for 211 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions or sacks across two preseason games. He was the starting quarterback in the Broncos' victory against the Green Bay Packers, who rested their starters, during the second week of the preseason.
Following an 8-9 season, the Broncos are expected to regress, according to Fox's projections . Entering the season with a rookie quarterback, after trading their former first-round receiver Jerry Jeudy and releasing wo-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, challenges loom ahead.
A dip in the Broncos' performance or an erratic season from Nix, even if he achieves a questionable record, doesn't necessarily mean that his draft was a misstep.
Like they did with Manning, the Broncos could have similar success with Nix starting not for just this season, but also in the long term. He can prove them right by fulfilling his objective of securing a victory in Seattle against the Seahawks in Week 1.
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