Has Bo Nix Done Enough To Be Broncos' Week 1 Starter?

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was outstanding in Sunday's 27-2 preseason Week 2 blowout victory over the Green Bay Packers. The first-round signal-caller received the start in front of an excited Mile High crowd and dazzled with his opportunity, completing 8-of-9 passing attempts for 80 yards and a touchdown. Nix did enough to be named the Broncos' Week 1 starter.

Nix’s touchdown pass was a two-yard score to receiver Tim Patrick. It was a throw made on the move with a higher degree of difficulty than most realize. The former Oregon standout finished with a near-perfect quarterback rating of 140.7.

Nix led two scoring drives, the first of which ended in a field goal after an incredible touchdown pass to Javonte Williams was called back. The Arkadelphia, Arkansas native stepped up into the pocket to avoid Green Bay's pass rush on 3rd-and-3 and floated an off-balance score to Williams, but it was ruled he stepped past the line of scrimmage. Still, it highlighted his off-script and natural playmaking ability.

Despite Nix's impressive showing, Broncos head coach Sean Payton declined an opportunity to name him the starter officially. The Broncos have one more exhibition game left, against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 25. Their regular-season opener versus the Seattle Seahawks will follow exactly two weeks later.

Veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham entered the game after Nix and put forth a far less inspiring performance. Stidham finished Sunday 7-of-11 with 65 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He did score a touchdown via a nine-yard scramble.

Nix has been the far more impressive quarterback through two preseason games. Combining his numbers over those contests, Nix has led the Broncos offense on six total scoring drives. He's been an ideal fit to oversee Payton's quarterback-friendly offense.

Nix has completed 23-of-33 passing attempts in two exhibition games for 205 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The dual-threat scrambler has added 29 rushing yards to his offensive totals via six carries. Denver’s offense has moved the ball effortlessly both through the air and on the ground with Nix at the helm.

Stidham has struggled by comparison. In Sunday’s win, he failed to keep the offense moving and on schedule after entering the game in the second quarter. It was a similar story in Denver's first preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts, where Nix thrived and Stidham failed to create separation between himself and the dazzling rookie. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson has fallen way behind in the quarterback competition.

Stidham entered training camp as the perceived favorite to begin the regular season as Denver's starter. He possessed the benefit of appearing in three games with two starts under Payton's tutelage last season. Stidham completed 60.6% of his passes and threw two touchdowns to one interception in 2023. Despite that experience, it's been Nix who's been the better fit to execute Payton's offense.

Nix has arguably been the best quarterback of the entire preseason. Payton isn't ready to publicly announce his decision, but things are becoming more straightforward with each passing practice and game. Nix should be named the Broncos' starting quarterback soon.