Former Denver Broncos player Mark Schlereth couldn’t help but sing the praises of Bo Nix after his preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts while also taking a jab at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
Nix, who didn’t start the game but still made a considerable impact, played with poise and precision. Unlike Wilson’s rocky 2023 season, Nix kept the ball safe, avoided sacks, and moved the chains effectively. Even Broncos head coach Sean Payton couldn’t hide his satisfaction, particularly in how the quarterbacks handled the ball:
“Ball out. I like the timing, the tempo. That was a big issue for us a year ago with the minus plays.”
Nix’s quick release was a breath of fresh air for a team that gave up 52 sacks last year with Wilson starting as QB1 in most games.
Mark Schlereth Takes Bold Stance on Broncos’ Rookie QB Bo Nix
Schlereth guarded the quarterbacks by thwarting off opposing defenses for the Broncos from 1995-2000. The former offensive lineman knows a thing or two about quarterbacks, and as an NFL analyst, Schlereth shared his stance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” podcast.
“Everything that Russell Wilson wasn’t last year for Sean Payton, Bo Nix was.”
This high praise came from Nix’s performance against Shane Steichen’s team, where he led Denver to a 34-30 win, scoring on four of his five possessions. Schlereth highlighted quality differences between Nix and Wilson, who struggled mightily in 2023, absorbing 45 sacks and failing to gel with Payton’s system.
In his debut, Nix went 15 of 21 for 125 yards and a touchdown while avoiding sacks.
Schlereth further said, “You saw him stand in the pocket, deliver the football on time, accurately. You saw him manipulate inside the pocket, never taking his eyes down to focus on the rush, always keeping them downfield, delivering strikes.”
Nix’s dual-threat ability, evidenced by his 17 rushing yards on three attempts, adds another dimension to Payton’s complex playbook.
The Broncos’ legend marveled at Nix’s quick decision-making and accuracy. Schlereth even compared the rookie’s processing ability to a “supercomputer.”
As the 2024 season approaches, Payton would be excited, wondering if Nix could be the key to returning Denver to Super Bowl glory.
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