Insider predicts if Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix will start

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated is among those who expect Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will want to start rookie quarterback Bo Nix as soon as possible. 

"I do think Sean Payton’s going to get him out there," Breer said about Nix for a mailbag published on Wednesday afternoon. "One thing I know Payton loved about Nix was his experience. Between Auburn and Oregon, Nix started an NCAA record 61 games."

While many analysts were downright stunned that Denver made Nix the 12th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft last Thursday night, ESPN's Jordan Reid predicted the following morning that Nix would be a Week 1 starter. 

Nix currently is sharing a quarterback room with journeyman Jarrett Stidham, former New York Jets flop Zach Wilson and career backup Ben DiNucci. Thus, it's understandable some think Nix is already penciled in atop Denver's depth chart. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Wilson ended the 2023 regular season ranked last among all qualified players with a 30.6 adjusted QBR. To compare, Stidham was responsible for a 31.1 QBR across three games and two starts. 

"Generally, quarterbacks who played a lot in college (see: Purdy, Brock) translate faster to the NFL," Breer added. "Which should make it a little easier on Payton to play Nix and get him NFL game reps now rather than later."

Of course, Purdy didn't make his first start as a rookie until December 2022. That opportunity only arose because the San Francisco 49ers lost both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance to season-ending injuries. 

As noted by individuals such as Jeff Legwold of ESPN, the Broncos essentially put Wilson into a contract year by declining the fifth-year option attached to his rookie deal. 

Payton has suggested that the quarterbacks on the roster are "all going to compete" this summer for the starting role, so perhaps Wilson will do enough from training camp through the preseason to earn at least somewhat of a look from Payton in September. 

With that said, Denver's long-term starting job likely will eventually become Nix's to lose regardless of what Wilson does over the next handful of months.