The Denver Broncos have named rookie Bo Nix as their starting quarterback.
Head coach Sean Payton made the announcement Wednesday.
The Broncos selected Nix with the No. 12 pick in April’s draft out of Oregon. He has performed well in training camp and in two preseason games, and earns the starting designation ahead of Denver’s preseason finale Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Nix wins the job over veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, whom the Broncos acquired from the New York Jets during the offseason.
Is Nix the answer to Denver’s QB woes?
The Broncos drafted Nix hoping that he’s the answer to quarterback woes that have plagued the franchise since the Peyton Manning era that ended with a Super Bowl victory after the 2015 season. The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since Manning’s last season.
Since Manning’s retirement, 13 different quarterbacks have started for the Broncos including Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler, Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater and Russell Wilson, who joined the Broncos from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. The trade to acquire Wilson goes down as one of the worst in NFL history.
The Broncos parted with a package that included two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and three players, then signed Wilson to a $242 million extension with $161 million in guarantees. Wilson played two losing seasons in Denver before the Broncos cut their losses and released him in the offseason at the end of Sean Payton’s first year as head coach.
Bo Nix is the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
High stakes, pressure for Sean Payton
The decisions to draft and start Nix mark the start of a new era in earnest under Payton, who was not with the franchise when it traded for Russell Wilson. Nix is Payton’s guy, and his successes and failures at quarterback will define Payton’s tenure in Denver.
Payton developed a reputation as an offensive and quarterback guru in 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints in which he and Drew…
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Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-08-21 18:24:02
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