Lo, and behold, Bo QB1. Not only will Bo Nix make his unofficial NFL debut as the backup to Jarrett Stidham in the Broncos’ exhibition Sunday against the horses of a different color, then next Sunday he will be the starting quarterback in his first ever appearance at the Mile High House against the Packers. The place will be packed with No.
10 jerseys. And, Voila!, Nix must start the regular season opener in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Jarrett Stidham? Barely knew ‘im. Stidham is about to become the 15th quarterback in the Broncos’ storied history to start the first preseason game, but not the first regular season game. The most notable were Steve DeBerg in 1983, Bubby Brister in 1999, Brock Osweiler in 2015 and Mailon Kent in 1967.
Kent shares a distinction with Jarrett and Bo. All three played college football at Auburn. Yet, after the Broncos lost 19-2 to the Dolphins in their first exhibition, Kent didn’t make it to the regular season.
He went on to own an insurance agency in Birmingham. Jarrett and Bo will last longer. But Nix will beat out Stidham, who’s never been an opening-day starter in his five seasons (albeit he was injured for most of ’21 and didn’t play a down).
Stidham was advertised in New England as Tom Brady’s air apparent in 2020, but the Patriots signed free agent Cam Newton. So Stidham became a run-of-the-mediocre substitute for the Patriots, the Raiders and the Broncos in 12 games and a starter in four – with one victory (Christmas Eve). Perhaps Stidham’s best day since Auburn was on his 28th birthday Thursday when he threw in Broncos practice for four scores – half his total of touchdowns and interceptions in real games.
The only reason for Jarrett’s four starts was the Raiders and the Broncos chose not to play their veteran quarterbacks for future financial reasons and the seasons were done. “Sparky’’ Stidham probably will produce his usual generic performance in 14-16 snaps as folks back home watch Sunday morning and wait impatiently for the Bo Go. Nix will be in for more offensive plays with the ones-and-twos before Zach “Whack A Mole’’ Wilson finishes up with the Broncos’ wannabes.
Stidman’s claim to recognition was Josh McDaniels coached him in two locales. He has become as popular in Colorado as Kyle Orton was when McDaniels traded for him. Both quarterbacks have worn “8’’.
You couldn’t give away their jerseys. Nix is the People’s Choice and the Payton, Paton & Penner Choice. Sean, George and Greg gave up late last season on Russell Wilson and eventually decided in unity to draft Nix at the 12 spot in this year’s draft.
They believe in him. Paton and Payton are risking their jobs over the decision, and Penner, with family and friends, is venturing more billions of dollars on a franchise wallowing in shame. Denver is a town without pity.
Throughout training camp Stidham and Nix have been about equal in repetitions, success and failures against the defense (that is not up to “Orange Crush’’ levels), quasi-touchdowns and beautiful and bountiful throws, praise from Sean Payton, effectiveness and leadership qualities. Russell Wilson has been forsaken and Zach Wilson forgotten. I wrote Jan.
2 that the Broncos should draft Nix or Michael Pennix Jr. On Jan. 25 I was all in on Nix.
Payton boarded the bandwagon during a March visit to Oregon for a private workout with Nix. After giving and getting everything he wanted, Payton said to the other coaches: “Are you kidding me?’’ A few days ago Payton extolled Bo’s pocket presence and with comparison to another quarterback with one-syllable names – Drew Brees. It’s obvious at Broncos practices to someone who has witnessed 50 Broncos training camps that Nix is “The Fix’’.
Elway, of course, was the best I ever saw when he was a rookie in camp, but Bronco Bo certainly is mature, in control, “instinctive’’, an exceptional passer and a solid scrambling runner and a player/person his peers have complimented constantly. And he carries the other quarterbacks helmets and pads. Now, like Elway, Nix will carry this team on his back to the future.
He has to start in the real season..
