While not unanimous, there is certainly a segment of Denver Broncos fans more than ready for the Bo Nix era, but are these feelings coming from a source of logic or emotion?
Let’s begin by saying that the opinion on new Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix, by both fans of the team and those on the outside, is divided.
While some, like the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, former Bronco Mark Schlereth, and legendary college coach Nick Saban, have been complimentary of the young QB, others, like draft expert Mel Kiper (and just about anyone in a similar role), have been critical of both the pick and Nix’s game/potential in general.
The same goes for fans of the Broncos, with some moaning about the pick like an average Jets fan and others elated that the team finally has someone the team can develop into a franchise player.
It’s the latter this post will be discussing, for as aforementioned, the criticism of Nix has been loud and clear. Is the optimism of the opposition to that narrative based on reason or delusion?
The truth is that it probably lies somewhere in the middle, and to understand why fans could be excited about a pick that has been criticized so harshly, it’s important to understand what the Broncos have been through in regards to the QB position.
Since Peyton Manning retired before the 2016 season, the team has gone through more QBs than a fat guy through slices in a pizza buffet line. To be specific, the Broncos have had 13 different players start at QB for the team since Manning hung up the cleats.
Think about it. Fans experienced the highest of highs with the best QB in the game for four years and have since experienced nothing but severe withdrawal. The closest the team came to anything resembling solid QB play was three average-to-above average seasons from Trevor Siemian, Teddy Bridgewater, and Russell Wilson. To be fair, Drew Lock showed promise in limited starts his rookie season, but he face planted as a full-time starter.
So can anyone really blame anyone Broncos Country residents for being perhaps a little TOO optimistic?
Imagine just finishing a grueling, taxing, tiresome triathlon and are dying of thirst and hunger…are you really going to complain about whatever food and drink is served to you? No, you are going to be elated just to be putting calories in your body.
And the same goes with Bo Nix.
Sure, there may be a significant gap, at least on paper, between Caleb Williams and Nix, but what Nix represents to Broncos fans is hope. Is hope and desperation related at times? Yes. Yet, while Broncos Country is, in fact, desperate for respectable, winning QB play, that doesn’t necessarily mean excitement regarding Nix is unfounded. Despite what critics want to say.
The main critiques against Nix seem to be the following:
- He’s 24 years old and may have already reached his potential
- His stats are inflated by easy throws and poor opposing defenses
- He was not good at Auburn, so was it just the Oregon system?
- His arm strength is limited
Let’s dissect some of that.
24 years of age is not old. Some QBs develop slower than others, and the Auburn system Nix played under just wasn’t a fit for him. Oregon played to his strengths, and that is what Sean Payton is known for. Not to make “that” assumption, but Drew Brees was average to above average with San Diego. Brees turned him into a star. Sometimes it’s just about the fit.
As for his stats, yeah, he made some easy throws. He also made difficult throws. Focusing on the latter is cherry picking. The guy made some tough throws. And yes, while no team in the PAC-12 is the Steel Curtain reborn, it’s not like he’s playing against high schoolers. For instance, Utah was a top-15 defense in 2023, and Nix picked them apart. And regardless of the system/opposition, 77% completion, 45 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions is damn impressive. Don’t knock execution.
Yes, he was mediocre at best at Auburn. Who cares? Joe Burrow couldn’t crack the starting rotation at Ohio State. Ryan Tannehill was a borderline bust with the Dolphins and turned into a legitimate starter with the Titans. Sometimes a change of scenery/scheme is exactly what a guy needs.
Arm strength? Give me a break. It’s like saying the golfer who can drive off the tee the furthest is the best, but last I checked, Bryson DeChambeau isn’t collecting many majors. Last I checked, Greg Maddux is still one of the best pitchers of all time ahead of many fast ball specialists. Accuracy and decision making trumps “strength” every time. Let Schlereth explain it better:
“When you watch him, he is on time and on target. And I’ve said this before, you cannot be on target if you’re not on time. If you’re not on time with the football, you won’t be on target. And he reads defenses, and he throws it to a spot where his guys can catch it underneath or intermediately and turn and run. Like that’s what you want. So, yeah, there are a lot of traits that I understand why, and I thought he had the best, the quickest release, and he was the most accurate underneath, which is where the game in the NFL is played these days.”
Don’t think too hard about it. This was one of the best QBs in college football the last couple of years, a Heisman finalist, and he led the #1 offense in the country. Nitpick his game all you want, the guy can produce.
On the other hand, are there legitimate concerns that he can be “the guy”? Are there legitimate concerns that his ceiling might just be Alex Smith and no higher? Sure. Is there any tangible way to disprove any of the critiques about his potential? Of course not.
So yes, this is very much a wait-and-see situation. Yes, this is a fanbase so desperate for QB success, it’s willing to overlook certain deficiencies and legitimate criticisms. Yet, it’s also not a fanbase that is stupid. It’s not one who will try and turn someone like Kellen Mond into a superstar. Nix has his issues, sure, but so does any QB in this draft.
And guess what? The franchise can only afford to tread water without a legitimate QB option before the stadium becomes a ghost town. The 2025 Draft is on paper weaker than this one, and Sean Payton isn’t going to tank for the sake of Shedeur Sanders. He’d rather take a chance on Nix, and if he doesn’t work out, maybe he has a chance at Arch Manning in 2026.
But based on Payton’s comments, and this is a guy who knows QBs far better than just about any pundit throwing out criticisms, Nix isn’t just a guy he took for the sake of taking him and appeasing the fan base. He’s a guy he really, REALLY likes and truly believes he is the QB of the future for the Broncos.
There is definitely logic that lies within the fan optimism in regards to Nix. And is there a hint of desperation as well? You damn well better believe it. Yet, this is still the most promising QB prospect the franchise has had since…who knows how long? Elway? Maybe that’s a ridiculous statement. Maybe this writer is drinking the Kool-Aid a little too fast…and adding a little too much vodka. But guess what? So is Sean Payton.
And given this weekend is the Kentucky Derby, that’s a horse I’m willing to bet on.
Broncos/NFL News
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