The writing was on the wall well before the Denver Broncos officially decided to name Bo Nix as starter instead of Zach Wilson .
On Wednesday, head coach Sean Payton named Nix as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2024 NFL season, making him the first Broncos rookie to start under center in Week 1 since John Elway in 1983. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has shown flashes of brilliance during training camp and preseason, narrowly beating out Wilson and Jarrett Stidham for the QB1 position.
Just two days prior to the announcement, Payton made a telling admission about Wilson’s future with the Broncos . During an appearance on The Athletic’s “Scoop City” podcast, the 60-year-old insisted that he wanted to help the signal-caller achieve success - whether that be in Denver or with another team in a clear admission his future may not lie in Denver.
“I grabbed him and I said, ‘Look, I just want you to focus on having fun and playing. My job is to make you millions, either with us or for another team,’” Payton said of Wilson. “His last two weeks have been outstanding.”
In two preseason games this offseason, Wilson - who is coming off a horrid three-year stint with the New York Jets - completed 12-of-19 passes for 146 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Against the Packers last week, he was wrapped up in the endzone by defensive end Zach Morton for a safety - Green Bay’s only points in a 27-2 defeat.
Nix, meanwhile, has shined in his first taste of NFL action , going 23-of-30 for 205 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the opening preseason games. The Oregon-product has additionally showcased his mobility, rushing six times for 29 yards.
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Despite receiving the starting nod in the Broncos first preseason game versus the Colts , Stidham failed to impress against Indianapolis and Green Bay, completing 11-of-18 passes for 102 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
After seeing how far Nix had come in development over just a short period of time this offseason, Payton told reporters that the decision to give him the reins to the offense was made easier. "Bo will start and we've kind of gone through our process," he said.
"In the very beginning of it all, just speaking with George [Paton] and Greg [Penner] and understanding that oftentimes these things take care of themselves. We're not in a hurry to arrive at those types of decisions. We want to see it. And I think it's important, relative to the team, that we handle it that way.
“He's been outstanding,” Payton added of Nix. “Obviously, there's a ton of room for growth, there's a lot of things that he needs to work on. I've already spoke with all three of those guys. Stiddy will be a great resource for him, as well as Zach. We just, we feel like that offseason, it's such an important position, we made some really good decisions and we're gonna have a chance to see them unfold as the season goes on.”
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