There’s a strong belief within the Broncos organization that the franchise’s revolving door of quarterbacks — 14 starters since Peyton Manning retired — has ended with Bo Nix in command.
The rookie quarterback led the Broncos to a 10-7 regular-season record and their first postseason appearance since 2015. Even after Denver’s 31-7 wild-card loss in Buffalo, Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner was unequivocal in his assessment of Nix at the team’s end-of-season news conference on Wednesday.
“It’s obvious that he’s the guy,” Penner said. “He had a tremendous first season and has all the great leadership qualities that you want in a quarterback.”
Nix had a year to remember. The first-round pick threw for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during the regular season. He added 92 carries for 430 yards and four scores.
On Wednesday, Nix was among six players to be nominated for the league’s Rookie of the Year award. That list also included tight end Brock Bowers (Raiders), quarterback Jayden Daniels (Commanders), running back Bucky Irving (Buccaneers), and wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars) and Malik Nabers (Giants).
Broncos general manager George Paton said he noticed Nix was special the moment the former Oregon standout walked into rookie minicamp.
“You saw poise beyond his years,” Paton said. “He’s a captain as a rookie, and that’s tough. But the team embraced it.”
Said right tackle Mike McGlinchey on Monday: “I think once we got around him in the building for a week or two — a couple of weeks in April — you’re like, ‘Oh man, this kid is made of the right stuff.’”
Paton and head coach Sean Payton praised Nix for his arm talent, accuracy and ability to avoid sacks. But Nix’s resolve in tough moments stood out the most for the top brass.
Nix revealed that he played through three transverse process fractures in his back, which he sustained during Denver’s win over the Raiders in Week 12. The organization was also impressed with how he handled himself in a Week 17 loss to the Bengals when he threw for 219 yards and three touchdowns to force overtime. Nix, a three-time Rookie of the Week honoree, threw for at least 200 yards and two touchdowns in nine games.
“Bo raised the level of everyone around him,” Paton said.
Nix hasn’t left the facility since the team returned from Buffalo. He already has an offseason schedule that’s laid out and organized. Payton called Nix a sponge that’s willing to gather information and grow.
Nix said Monday that he improved on the huddle operation as the year progressed, but plans to do some “self-scouting” to get an idea of areas he will need to work on during the offseason. Nix was in Payton’s office for 30 minutes on Tuesday to discuss ways to grow ahead of Year 2.
“I said ‘Bo, you gotta take a break,’” Paton said. “I’m sure he’ll get away.”
Payton wasn’t ready to discuss the Broncos’ offseason needs on Wednesday, but he did mention that the team never found the right running back combination. He also spoke on the importance of finding a versatile playmaker — something he’s previously referred to as “joker” — to add to the offense.
But with Nix at quarterback, Payton believes this team is better positioned than it was a year ago.
“I think we’ve found that player that can lead us and be what we need relative to having the success we’re used to having,” Payton said.
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