Broncos’ Bo Nix aims for ‘suitable’ starting point for NFL career

Bo Nix will need to outperform Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson to become the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback.

If successful, Nix may get the chance to rid himself of demons.

The Broncos will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 of the regular season. The last time Nix was in Seattle, his Oregon Ducks lost 36-33 to the Washington Huskies. He completed 75% of his passes and threw touchdowns in the game.

Nix’s Ducks also came back from a 29-18 deficit in the third quarter to take a 33-29 lead with less than seven minutes remaining, but were stopped at midfield before the two-minute warning.

Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) scored the winning touchdown for the Huskies.

“I think about that a lot,” Nix said when asked about that game after practice on July 27. “It’s one of those things that, honestly, I hope I never forget because of the educational things that happen. But yeah, it’s fitting that I get to start there this year and that’s where my NFL Journey begins. And so we’re going to be ready to roll and we’re going to go out there with some enthusiasm and hopefully we don’t let that happen again.”

Stidham has more experience in head coach Sean Payton’s system, while Wilson was a higher draft pick, albeit one taken by a different organization. Nix is ​​the highest-ranked quarterback drafted by the Broncos since Jay Cutler in 2006.

Still, Nix does not shy away from the competition.

When asked if he would accept not being a reserve for “a year or two,” Nix gave a candid answer.

“I don’t know if I have a choice in that one; whether I accept it or not. If I want to stay, I might as well accept it,” Nix said. “But I also don’t necessarily want to get complacent and say, ‘You know what? It’s my rookie year. I’m okay with just sitting back, hanging out and learning.’ I have total confidence in these coaches and this team. They’re going to let me play when I’m ready, and I’m going to do my best to prepare.

“That’s all I can do. But I also think you owe it and have respect for the other guys that are in the competition. They also want to be the starter and they also have to accept what happens.”

ESPN’s Jeff Legwold wrote on July 23 that Nix is ​​expected to start.

Insider: Broncos lean into excitement over Bo Nix

GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on the positive reviews of Nix from training camp, which match the reports from the spring.

“People I’ve talked to with the team aren’t shy about the fact that Denver feels like they have something in Nix,” Fowler wrote on July 28. “Sometimes with rookies you get phrases like, ‘He’s coming’ or ‘Rookies take time.’ Not in this case. The phrase is some variation of, ‘He’s impressive.’

“The Broncos aren’t naive that Nix will have his freshman moments in camp when the pads come on. But this is a quarterback built in the image of coach Sean Payton, who is betting big on his ability to develop passers. While the battle is certainly open, Nix is ​​making his case.”

Nix set an NCAA record with 61 starts at the collegiate level.

His accuracy and composure are two reasons why he was seen as a good fit for the Broncos and Payton.

Sean Payton could reduce Broncos competition at quarterback

GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

“It’s not easy,” Nix said of the ongoing competition. “At the same time, we’re all adults and we’ve done this before. And whatever they decide, that’s what we’re going to continue with. But we’re all doing the best we can right now.”

Payton thinks the QB competition will change over the next two weeks.

“The rotation has been pretty consistent. I think that’s going to change a little bit as we get into the next week and a half, two weeks,” Payton told reporters on July 27. “Right now, we’re in a pretty consistent pattern. And I think it’s tough to keep that the same throughout camp.”

It’s unclear which of the three QBs will lose out in this decision, though Nix’s draft status apparently eliminates him from the discussion.