Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix was named the team’s starter on Wednesday after competing with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson this summer.
After making the decision, Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked what separated Nix from the competition. Payton emphasized that it was more about Nix standing out and less about the others struggling.
“The larger body of work,” Payton said when asked how Nix separated himself. “There are certain things right now with Stiddy’s experience that you see. I would say a lot of the off-schedule movement throws, and I think he’s been consistent. It’s not really a reflection on Jarrett or Zach, it’s some of the things that he’s been able to do pretty quickly. His arm strength down the field — all of the things that when we evaluated him, you kind of trust your instinct.
“I had received a text the other day from someone — a reporter — that just said, ‘It’s the perfect scheme fit.’ I responded, I said, ‘I get that, but a good quarterback’s the perfect scheme fit anywhere.’ There are certain narratives that people will hold on to relative to what they saw pre-draft. There are two elements to our business: there’s the entertainment element, and then there’s the football element. Respectfully, there is a lot of draft information that’s more entertainment than football. We’re still in the beginning of this process. The development not only of him, but the other two guys as they can help our team. So it was the overall body of work.”
Payton pushed back on the narrative that Nix was merely picked because he fits Payton’s offense so well. The coach likes the quarterback’s talent, not just his perceived fit for the scheme.
Nix will make his first regular season start when the Broncos go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 8.
