Relax, Broncos Country. Let’s give Bo Nix some grace.
The start to the rookie quarterback’s time in Denver hasn’t been pleasant after creating a ton of buzz and optimism during training camp and two impressive preseason games. Now the Broncos are 0-2, while Nix has thrown 384 passing yards, four interceptions and zero touchdowns.
Indeed, the numbers are hard to gaze upon, but it’s still too early to panic. Nix is enduring the pains of a first-year starting quarterback just like his fellow rookies: Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Chicago’s Caleb Williams. One stat that truly speaks to their rocky transition is that Nix, Daniels and Williams have thrown a combined 196 passes without a touchdown. That’s the most consecutive pass attempts by rookies without a touchdown pass to begin a season in league history, according to Opta Stats.
None of the rookie quarterbacks have set the world on fire, as some might have expected when they were drafted back in April. However, that shouldn’t be a call for concern. It should be a reminder to have patience. Not only do Nix, Daniels and Williams have to work on their own performance issues, but they have walked into organizations littered with flaws.
The common issue each rookie quarterback has faced has been a lack of protection from their offensive line. Williams, Daniels and Nix have been pressured a combined 92 times, according to Next Gen Stats.
Chicago and Denver are fourth and fifth in the league in pressures allowed. Williams has been sacked nine times — tied for most in the league with Las Vegas’ Gardner Minshew and New England’s Jacoby Brissett. In Chicago’s loss to the Houston Texans in Week 2, Williams rarely had a clean pocket. He was sacked seven times and was blitzed on 41.7% of his dropbacks, completing just 3 of 12 passes for 15 yards and an interception, according to Next Gen Stats.
In Washington, it’s alarming that Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin (aka Mr. Reliable) haven’t been able to establish a connection. Through two games, McLaurin has eight catches for 39 yards.
Daniels has the arm strength to let the ball fly, but Washington’s offensive line has made it hard to do so. The Commanders have given up 25 pressures- – tied for 12th most in the league. Meanwhile, Daniels has the fewest time to throw among NFL quarterbacks at 2.33 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats.
Despite the Commanders’ issues in the trenches, Daniels has managed to be the best among the three rookie starting QBs. The Heisman trophy winner has thrown for 410 yards while rushing for 132 and two scores.
In Nix’s case, it’s more than the offensive line that hasn’t done their part. It’s the entire offense, including the coaching staff. Denver’s run scheme is predictable and Javonte Williams hasn’t been productive. This has forced Nix to drop back 88 times — tied for fourth most in the league. It also doesn’t help when Denver’s pass catchers struggle to create separation in man coverage.
“We trust in the system and the game plans being put together, it’s just we’re not executing them,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. “It takes all of us, it takes all 11 of us making sure we are executing and knowing our assignments and executing to the highest level to make sure we are able to capitalize.”
Nix and Williams are not blameless, either. There have been a handful of moments when both quarterbacks have looked overwhelmed and tried to do too much. All of Nix’s interceptions have been plays where he tried to turn something out of nothing, throwing the ball in double or triple coverage.
In Chicago’s season-opening win over the Titans, there was a moment in the first quarter when Williams backpedaled more than 10 yards before being sacked for a 19-yard loss. Against the Texans, he threw two interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter when he escaped pressure, only to throw into triple coverage, resulting in a pick from cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
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Williams has thrown for under 175 yards in both games this season and is averaging an NFL-low 4.0 yards per attempt. Nix has completed 59.7% of his pass attempts and has a passer rating of 51.
Is it time to push the panic button? Of course not.
The NFL is hard, and every quarterback has to adjust in their own way. Buffalo’s Josh Allen threw for 10 touchdowns and 12 picks as a rookie before turning into a top-five quarterback in the league. Lions quarterback Jared Goff, a first-overall pick in 2016, was winless in seven starts while throwing for five touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first season with the Rams. Two seasons later, Goff threw for 4,688 yards and helped Los Angeles reach the Super Bowl.
“He’s been through the firestorm if you will,” said head coach Sean Payton, referring to Nix’s shaky time at Auburn before transferring to Oregon. “You’re better prepared (and) served when it comes around again. By no means, we’re not in that position right now.”
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