A week ago, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton stated that Bo Nix “was our guy.” The Broncos were fortunate to have the record-setting quarterback land in their lap at No. 12 overall when the 2024 NFL draft board was prepared.
The Broncos made no hesitations. If Nix was available at No. 12, he was always going to be the choice.
Unlike many of their NFL counterparts, who appear to go back into the field every few years, the Broncos don’t choose quarterbacks in the first round very often. Nix comes with some lofty expectations as the only quarterback selected by Denver in the first round in the last fifty years.
However, there are also some that are internal. Specifically, what Sean Payton, the head coach of Nix, expects from his QB1. The young quarterback is prepared to greet them.
Through the team website, Nix stated, “Just from what I know about his offence, it’s all about efficiency.” “And he’s looking for a quarterback who can consistently get the ball to the right place at the right time. Making the appropriate choice is always key. I can’t wait to review what I’ve learned and get ready for the next step.”
The Los Angeles Rams and Sean McVay were expected to select Oregon’s standout quarterback at No. 19, and the Las Vegas Raiders were right behind the Broncos at No. 13 and ready to jump on Nix. The Broncos did receive offers to trade back, but the risk of Nix’s name being called by another club outweighed any benefit the organisation might have received in exchange.
“We could have moved a couple picks back and maybe gotten some picks, but at the end of the day, this was our guy,” Paton said after the first round. “Just take him, please. Do not ponder this too much. If we had lost him for a couple of fifth-round selections, we would have been devastated.
Payton recognised the “battle-tested” Nix as an ideal match for his method. And Payton was a little surprised by the quarterback’s stature when he first assessed him face-to-face.
“I was taken aback by his size. He weighed almost 220 pounds and was somewhat higher than 6 feet 2,” Payton remarked a week ago.
Additional details about Nix’s size and its impact on Paton and Payton when the Broncos worked him out in private back in March were revealed by Albert Breer of the MMQB. And the Broncos knew why Nix never fumbled at Oregon—those 10-1/8-inch hands must be like holding a bundle of bananas in a handshake.
The way Nix feels about the topic is lost in the clamour of expectations, both personal and external. He’s excited to be named Denver’s quarterback of the future as a rookie, but he understands that won’t happen until he takes care of business and outplays his opponents for the starting position.
Similar to all the legendary quarterbacks who have paved the way for him in the Mile High City, Nix exhibits peculiar and sometimes even manic behaviour when it comes to rivalry. His state of mind going into his first professional NFL summer?
Simply compete. In my opinion, if I approach the game with that mentality and simply strive to be the best version of myself, it will improve not only me but also the team—however that may be defined,” Nix stated. “I just can’t wait to meet every single guy. Being a part of this team excites me. I’m eager to get started and take part in it.”
Soon. Early this month, the Broncos will hold a rookie minicamp. There’s the small matter of choosing Nix’s uniform number before cleats hit the field for that minicamp.
Zach Wilson received Nix’s No. 10 collegiate jersey number just days before the Broncos selected him in the first round. In New York, Wilson wore the No. 2, but in Denver, Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II owns and wears that same number.
Maybe Wilson and Nix can work out a deal for No. 10. But when it comes to possible jersey numbers below 20, the options are limited. Nos. 7 and 18 are the two numbers that are retired and sacred at this time.
That means Nix can only have No. 16 available to him. Unless the two quarterbacks agree to a trade, that is, or the Broncos take it from Wilson and give it to Nix,.
After the team’s introduction press conference, Nix donned the No. 1 jersey inside Broncos headquarters, designating him as the team’s 2024 first-round selection. There have been no official statements from the Broncos on the rumours that cornerback Tremon Smith exchanged jersey numbers, making him the No. 1.
If Smith is willing to give up No. 1, Nix might be able to persuade the veteran DB out of it.
Which do you prefer? Could Nix have worn No. 10 or No. 16?
Fans are chomping at the bit to run out and purchase a Nix jersey since the Broncos revealed their new uniform designs just a few days before the draft.