Broncos 'trust instincts," name rookie Bo Nix starting quarterback

The Denver Broncos named rookie Bo Nix as their starting quarterback on Wednesday.

The first-round draft pick will become the first rookie signal-caller to start a season opener for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.

Head coach Sean Payton met with Nix and Jarrett Stidham on Wednesday morning before announcing his decision in a team meeting. Zach Wilson is also on the roster, acquired from the New York Jets in an April trade.

"The larger body of work," Payton said of what pushed Nix over 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."

Payton said he was on the same page with owner Greg Penner and general manager George Paton that the organization would allow the process to play out and "not rush into anything."

In two preseason games, Nix completed 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Broncos scored on six of his seven drives against the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers.

Denver opens the regular season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. The Broncos have not been to the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning under center on Feb. 7, 2016.

"It will be a special moment," Nix said of the Week 1 start.

"Obviously, that's great to share with such a great player like John Elway, but 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."

Last season, Denver finished 8-9. Russell Wilson, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was 7-8 and Stidham was 1-1.

Nix, 24, was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Oregon. No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and No. 2 Jayden Daniels have also been named the starters by the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, respectively.

Nix is also the first rookie quarterback to open a season for Payton, who is entering his second season in Denver after 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2006-11, 2013-21).

--Field Level Media