Former Oregon star Bo Nix was among the most talked about players in the college football world and for the right reasons.
During his last year with the Ducks, Nix passed for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and three interceptions. In the 2024 NFL Draft, he was selected as the 12th overall pick by the Denver Broncos and has been showing off his abilities all throughout the preseason.
Is Bo Nix Playing in Week 3 Against the Arizona Cardinals?
Nix won’t be playing against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 of the preseason. Coach Sean Payton confirmed that Jarrett Stidham will start and be on the field for around 8-12 plays, with Zach Wilson replacing him in the first or second quarter of the game.
This is because Nix has been announced as the Broncos’ starting quarterback for the regular season matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8, winning the quarterback battle against Stidham and Wilson.
Payton was mindful enough while breaking the news to all three quarterbacks and shared that he talked to each of them separately after practice.
Nix’s performances in the first two weeks of the preseason games contributed significantly to the decision. He led the Broncos to a thrilling 27-3 win in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, and he completed eight of his nine passes for 80 yards while also throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick.
Payton also applauded the former Ducks quarterback for looking comfortable with the calls, saying you can feel the poise he plays with. Analyzing Nix’s performance, Payton also said he looked sharp and did a good job of distributing the ball, understanding zones, and other concepts they’re working at.
A look at Bo Nix’s Rookie Contract
The former Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year secured a lucrative four-year deal worth $18.61 million, fully guaranteed with a fifth-year option.
This contract includes a hefty $10.36 million signing bonus and will have a $3.384 million cap hit for 2024, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
READ MORE: Payton Details Broncos’ Nix Selection: ‘We’re Not the Only Ones Seeing It This Way’
After signing the deal, Nix humbly set his intentions and said that he wanted to show his improvement and that he could do what the Broncos hired him to do.
Nix will don the No. 10 jersey for the Broncos, a number recently vacated by offseason trade acquisition Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, who has transitioned to No. 4.
The Broncos will be entering a new era with Nix, which seems promising owing to his impressive college stats and the preseason matchups.
