After being unable to find a stable quarterback, the Denver Broncos finally found their franchise signal caller in Bo Nix, a feeling voiced by head coach Sean Payton and owner Greg Penner.
Jay Gruden And Colt McCoy On Bo Nix
After being selected as the No. 12 overall player in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nix took the Broncos to the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 appearance with Peyton Manning. In 2024, Nix completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
He also ran for 430 yards and four scores, adding one TD reception, for a total of 34 offensive touchdowns. With this he set a rookie record as the third-most in NFL history.
Given his repertoire, former NFL coach Jay Gruden, who once was at the helm of the Washington Commanders, praised Nix on the “Clean Pocket Podcast” alongside former NFL quarterback Colt McCoy.
”Bo, intermediate passing wise, was very very accurate, throws a very accurate ball where receivers can run after the catch, which is very important in Sean Payton’s offense,” Gruden said. “He’s very athletic. He can get himself out of trouble, only took 24 sacks all year long.
“For a rookie quarterback that’s unheard of. Down the field, vision, accuracy, and anticipation is what he lacks a little bit. When I was thinking about my expectations, where he got drafted, I would’ve thought he’d play like a D+ quarterback, but I gotta give him an A- for his production and his ability to take that team to the playoffs.”
Bo Nix. What y’all think ? pic.twitter.com/aypVqQFgGQ
— Jay Gruden (@Coach_JayGruden) February 21, 2025
McCoy agreed with Gruden, saying:
“I gave him an A- too. I thought he had a remarkable rookie season. Not taking sacks, his athletic ability showed up. He took them to the playoffs. He managed games well. He’s a smart guy, he’s a great leader — named a team captain.
“He did a ton of really good things for a rookie quarterback. If Bo can navigate some of those things he wasn’t good at last year, build off the 29 touchdowns and 12 picks, I think the Denver Broncos can be a lot better next year with Bo Nix.”
Gruden’s point about Nix avoiding sacks brings the fact to light that, since 2020, no rookie quarterback has taken less sacks than Nix while playing more than 13 games.