Englewood, CO – In a bold move to reshape their offensive future, the Denver Broncos opted to bypass a plethora of defensive talent in favor of selecting former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Coach Sean Payton expressed his confidence in Nix, emphasizing his exceptional arm strength and intellect, which stood out during both his pro day and private workout sessions.

“He stood out in a lot of areas,” noted Coach Payton. “His arm strength, we saw it at his pro day, but then even in the private workout was very good. And he’s super smart.”

The Broncos’ decision to prioritize offense reflects their ongoing struggle to find a reliable quarterback since the departure of Peyton Manning following the 2015 season. With 13 different starting quarterbacks in the post-Manning era, Denver has endured an eight-year playoff drought compounded by seven consecutive losing seasons.

The urgency to address the quarterback position was palpable, especially with division rival Patrick Mahomes leading the Kansas City Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories in five years.

Despite speculation that the Broncos might need to trade up to secure a quarterback, General Manager George Paton remained steadfast, opting to retain their draft capital rather than risk further depletion after previous trades.

“We could have moved a couple of picks back and maybe gotten a couple of picks,” said Paton. “But at the end of the day, ‘This was our guy. Let’s just take him. Let’s not overthink it.’ And we would have been sick if we lost him just for, you know, a couple of fifth-round picks or what have you.”

Nix’s selection comes after a standout collegiate career, where he started 61 games between Oregon and Auburn, demonstrating his experience and leadership on the field. In his final season at Oregon, Nix threw for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and boasted a remarkable 77.4% completion rate, earning him a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Despite concerns about the team’s recent struggles and the weight of expectations, Nix remains undaunted and eager to make an impact in Denver.

“I just can’t wait to get around the locker room, I can’t wait to get around the guys, meet all my new teammates, meet coaches and get to work,” expressed Nix.

Nix’s arrival adds depth to a quarterback room that includes newly acquired Zach Wilson and returning players Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. With competition expected to be fierce, Coach Payton emphasized the importance of allowing the players to compete and develop naturally.

“They’re all going to compete,” assured Payton. “Bill (Parcells) taught me a long time ago, let’s just let them play and we’ve got to maximize the reps that we have and let them develop, and that stuff will sort itself out.”

As Nix prepares to embark on his NFL journey, the Broncos are hopeful that his leadership, skillset, and determination will help steer the franchise back to contention and end their playoff drought.

With their sights set on revitalizing their offense and returning to the postseason, the Broncos are banking on Bo Nix to be the catalyst for change in Denver.