After an encouraging showing in his first preseason game, Bo Nix might be ready for the full jump.
The 12th overall pick in April’s draft will get the start in the Denver Broncos’ second preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, head coach Sean Payton announced Friday.
Nix, 24, was solid against the Indianapolis Colts in his NFL debut, completing 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
The rookie entered the game after two drives from starter Jarrett Stidham, who threw an interception on the team’s second possession.
Nix was listed as the Broncos’ QB3 on the team’s initial depth chart behind the veteran Stidham and former Jets starter Zach Wilson, who will play the 2024 season on the final year of his rookie contract.
The former Oregon standout was supposedly phenomenal in a joint practice against Green Bay on Friday, including unfurling pump fakes.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that it “would be a surprise” if Nix doesn’t emerge victorious in the three-man race for the QB1 job.
Nix was phenomenal during his final season at Oregon, finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting by posting a record 77.4 completion percentage, 4,508 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
The NCAA’s all-time leader in games played elected to suit up in the Ducks’ Fiesta Bowl matchup against Liberty despite having little at stake.
Payton and the Broncos made Nix the sixth quarterback off the board in the first round, establishing a record at the position.
The franchise is optimistic that Nix, one of the more efficient college quarterbacks this century, can provide long-term stability at the position following two subpar years of Russell Wilson and little development from Drew Lock.
After missing the postseason each of the last eight seasons — in fact, everyone since it won Super Bowl 50 — Denver is hoping for better results in Year 2 of Payton at the helm.
The Broncos begin their season on Sept. 8 in Seattle against the Seahawks.