And most loved that the choice was Oregon’s Bo Nix.
There was a tiny bit of drama during the NFL Draft as Broncos Country may have hoped Denver would trade up two spots to leapfrog Minnesota and take quarterback draft J.J. McCarthy.
But in the end, the Minnesota Vikings moved up one spot to protect their McCarthy pick while the Denver Broncos stayed at No. 12 and took the most obvious choice — Oregon QB Bo Nix.
Fuck yeah, BO NIX pic.twitter.com/zZseU42qG9
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) April 26, 2024
Despite rumors all offseason that head coach Sean Payton really liked McCarthy – and would even be willing to mortgage the future for him – reports after the selection were of course that Nix was always their guy.
Says a guy in the media https://t.co/PTEXMNMToN
— Doctor of Words (& tights & over/under guesses) (@docllv) April 26, 2024
Nix — 6-foot-2, 214-pounds — played three seasons at Auburn before going to Oregon his final two years of eligibility. He set the NCAA single-season record for completion percentage in 2023 and broke Oregon’s single-season passing yardage and passing touchdown stats.
As the 2023 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy finalist, Nix led Oregon to a 12-2 record as he boasted a 77.4 completion percentage. Nix threw for 45 touchdowns and just three interceptions while throwing for 4,508 yards. Nix also ran for six touchdowns.
While some fan reactions were mixed, most fans, analysts and former Broncos loved the pick for Payton’s offense.
QB guru Greg Cosell to 9NEWS on March 31:
“I don’t have inside information at all about this but as a pure talent, (Nix) would strike me as a Sean Payton-type of quarterback. He executes the offense. And he does it smartly. He was incredibly sharp.”#9sports— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) April 26, 2024
Denver held a private workout with Bo Nix the day after his pro day. The night before the workout, the Broncos sent Nix three packets of offensive play installation. And the next morning, as they worked in the classroom with Nix, he “crushed it”, per a Broncos source.
The…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2024
#Broncos QB #BoNix’s NCAA Resume
✅ Most starts at QB in NCAA history (61)
✅ Highest single-season completion-percentage in NCAA history (77.4%)
✅ More completions (1,286) and passing yards (15,352) than any 1st round pick in #NFL history
✅ Second in total yardage produced… pic.twitter.com/lhkqh3iFCW
— Ryan Michael (@theryanmichael) April 26, 2024
Sean Payton is betting his legacy on Bo Nix.
That’s good enough for me
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) April 26, 2024
Broncos are drafting Oregon QB Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick
Set an NCAA record as the MOST ACCURATE QB in college football last year
(via @AlbertBreer) pic.twitter.com/2iKjwB2KrO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2024
Bo Nix welcome to Broncos Country
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) April 26, 2024
Bo Nix is the type of player and decision maker Sean Payton craves. A guy with ability, who can be molded by him and has some detractors. Bo Nix’s 45 TDs and 3 int in the very strong PAC 12 last year shows he is the ELITE level decision maker and sees the field like his coach. pic.twitter.com/Q351VtpL8C
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 26, 2024
Bill Belichick talking to Broncos HC Sean Payton about Bo Nix on the @PatMcAfeeShow:
“There’s a lot to like about this kid. And he wins.”
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) April 26, 2024
Bo Nix: only 5 turnover worthy plays in 2023 (fewest among all QBs) pic.twitter.com/Il9e7RqPBC
— PFF DEN Broncos (@PFF_Broncos) April 26, 2024
For any fans unsure of what to think, this video of the call from George Paton and Sean Payton should help win you over:
“You want to win a Super Bowl? Let’s go!”
– Bo Nix, @SeanPayton‘s new #Broncos‘ QB https://t.co/rS4fogJ8D8
— Doctor of Words (& tights & over/under guesses) (@docllv) April 26, 2024