The Denver Broncos are entering an NFL season without a quarterback controversy for the first time since the Peyton Manning years. Bo Nix is their undisputed starter after leading the team to ten wins and their first playoff appearance since Super Bowl 50.
While success initially evaded the sixth quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, veteran defensive tackle Solomon Thomas shared Nix’s pivot from a struggling rookie to a viable starter.
“We played them in Week 4, and so he was still getting in a groove then. And then after that, he just took off. He was getting more decisive, and it was just cool to watch, seeing the throws he wasn’t making the week before. After the win against us, I think that gave him some confidence,” Thomas shared in the video announcing Bo Nix as the 64th-best NFL player leading into the 2025 season.
Now with the Dallas Cowboys, Thomas played for the New York Jets last season. Nix’s numbers from that game were not impressive, finishing with 12 completions for 60 yards and a touchdown. However, it was enough to lift the Broncos to a 10-9 victory.
From that game, Nix led the Broncos to an 8-5 record while finishing with 29 touchdowns, the second-most all-time among NFL rookies. Helping Denver break its playoff drought made Nix one of only two rookie quarterbacks (Jayden Daniels being the other) to crack the Top 100.
Former Oregon Teammates Aren’t Surprised by Nix’s Early Success
In the same video, New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez said about Bo Nix, “When we were at Oregon together. Just how much he knew the game already. You get him around the right people and he’s going to make a lot of plays.” Gonzalez and Nix played one season together for the Ducks.
Still, there’s no lie in what Gonzalez said. Having Sean Payton helped Nix thrive despite the depth chart limitations in the Broncos’ skill positions.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Casey Rogers, Nix’s teammate for two seasons at Oregon, said, “I got the pleasure of playing with him in college. One thing on his mind at all times is football. When that whole draft class was coming through, and everyone was talking about some other quarterbacks being the top one. But I knew who he was. He was one of the best ones in that class, if not the best.”
Bo Nix Gets Respect from Broncos Defenders
With a bright future ahead, the top Broncos players are thrilled to have Nix leading them on offense. However, his teammates on defense also have the utmost appreciation for him.
Nik Bonitto said about Bo Nix, “When we drafted him, I kind of knew he was going to be the guy. He can really do it all. Him finding ways to maneuver out of the pocket and his speed are really underrated. Every time we see Bo throw the ball in the air and we know it’s going to court, you might as well just count it for a TD.”
Finally, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II expressed, “Bo. I just think he’s so calm and collected. You rarely see that from a rookie. You could tell he looked like a vet out there. His unique ability to be poised in the pocket, makes plays down the field. Whenever we needed him to make a play, he came through. I know he’s gonna have many exceptional years down the road.”
NFL Veteran Describes Turning Point of Bo Nix’s Rookie Season