Bo Nix hasn’t thrown a regular season pass yet, and he’s already in rare Denver Broncos company with Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.
Nix became the first rookie quarterback to earn the starting job in Denver since Elway did it 41 years ago in 1983.
The Broncos drafted Nix, the former Auburn and Oregon star, with the No. 12 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and he ascended to the starting role amid an impressive training camp and preseason.
Elway, who played for the Broncos from 1983 to 1998, has served in the team’s front office since 2011 amid the franchise’s long-term search for a franchise quarterback. He sees promise in Nix, who played five college seasons between Auburn and Oregon from 2019 to 2023.
“And I think that [head coach] Sean Payton will be great for him,” Elway added.
“I think Sean knows how to develop quarterbacks, and I think they’ll keep him in the right situations and not put too much on him and allow him to, you know, continue to improve week in and week out.”
Elway noted strengths on offense such as the offensive line’s protection and coaches’ schemes will help Nix thrive. The Broncos also have skill player talent in wide receiver Courtland Sutton and running back Javonte Williams.
Nix has a 76.7 percent completion rate for 205 yards passing and two touchdowns in the preseason thus far amid a 2-0 record. Despite the early success and support around Nix, Elway anticipates challenges in the regular season.
“You know, Bo’s going to see it,” Elway said. “It’s a big jump from preseason to regular season.
“I’m sure he’ll handle that well. You know, he’s going to have his ups and downs … as a young guy, which I had plenty of those, but I think that he’s got all the talent in the world and mind strength to be able to do it.”
Elway had his ups and downs as the Broncos starter in 1983, with a 4-6 record and 1,663 yards passing for seven touchdowns versus 14 interceptions. He took off after that season and finished his career with nine Pro Bowl appearances, an MVP, and two Super Bowl wins.
Nix joins a Broncos team that hasn’t enjoyed as much success since the Elway years. Other than a big four-year run with Peyton Manning, the Broncos have had five playoff appearances since 1998, and the team has a current eight-year playoff drought.
Quarterbacks succeeding in Denver in the long term haven’t occurred, with the exception of Manning’s run from 2012 to 2015. Jake Plummer helped the Broncos reach the AFC Championship Game in 2005, but no other Broncos quarterback besides Manning has gone further since the Elway era.
Brian Griese took over for Elway in 1999 followed by Plummer from 2003 to 2006. Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton then quarterbacked the Broncos through a playoff drought in the late 2000s before the Tim Tebow show in 2011.
After Manning, the Broncos struggled with Trevor Siemian, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, and Teddy Bridgewater. Acquiring Russell Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks didn’t change things for the Broncos either during the past two years.
Nix will suit up against the Seahawks in the regular season opener on Sept. 8. Payton sees the potential in Nix and didn’t make the call just because of the quarterback’s draft status.
