On Wednesday, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton named rookie quarterback Bo Nix the starter, which is not shocking. Payton knew he was his man early within the draft course of.
On a Tuesday episode of The Athletic’s “Scoop Metropolis” podcast with Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel, Payton mentioned he visited Eugene, Oregon, in March to look at Nix’s professional day and maintain a non-public exercise the next morning. After Nix’s first 16 passes within the non-public exercise, Payton instructed common supervisor George Paton, “That is the man.”
In the course of the NFL Draft, the Broncos known as the New York Jets (choose No. 11) and the Las Vegas Raiders (choose No. 13) to gauge their curiosity in Nix, through Russini. After figuring out the Jets weren’t taking a QB within the first spherical and the Raiders did not need to transfer up, Denver took him with the twelfth general choose.
Whereas Payton favored Nix, he did not hand him the job. The HC listed him as QB3 on the primary unofficial depth chart and had him compete with Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. Nevertheless, the rookie aced all exams, serving to him win the QB battle.
“You are questioning why the Broncos made this resolution. How did Bo Nix go from third-string QB — or no matter — to starter?” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport mentioned Wednesday on “The Insiders.” “It is actually fairly easy. Each check, he handed. From rookie minicamp to OTAs to coaching camp and [preseason] video games, on-platform throws, off-platform throws, it is a actually advanced offense. He appears to have devoured it and deciphered it.”
By way of two preseason video games, Nix has accomplished 23-of-30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, posting a strong 116.7 passer ranking. If he stays heading in the right direction, Nix may present why he satisfied Payton he is the reply after 16 throws within the predraft exercise.
