Many have assumed since late April that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will need to right away begin rookie Bo Nix at quarterback forward of journeyman Jarrett Stidham and former New York Jets signal-caller Zach Wilson.
Nevertheless, such takes have been supplied earlier than Payton realized that the Broncos will open the 2024 common season with a Week 1 recreation on the Seattle Seahawks and a Week 2 house matchup versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It is a powerful spot to place him in,” ESPN NFL analyst Adam Schefter stated throughout an on-air phase on Wednesday night time about Payton probably making Nix the membership’s Week 1 QB1, per Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot. “Not that Sean Payton could be apprehensive about doing it if he felt it warranted it. However [at] Seattle isn’t an excellent spot for an NFL rookie quarterback to make his debut. The subsequent week towards Pittsburgh? Additionally, not ultimate.”
Seattle’s “12s” typically create one of many loudest highway environments for opposing golf equipment in all the NFL whereas Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin is extensively revered as one of many league’s high head coaches and will make life troublesome for any rookie quarterback beginning both his first or second regular-season recreation. Moreover, that Week 2 showdown with the Steelers may contain Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson making his return to Denver after Payton unceremoniously confirmed Wilson the door in March.
After Sept. 15, the Broncos play back-to-back highway contests earlier than returning house to host the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 6.
“Now Bo Nix could step in with 61 school begins and be so spectacular from the get-go that Sean Payton says, ‘I do not care. This man’s completely different. There is a purpose why we drafted him at No. 12 and we’re beginning him Week 1,'” Schefter continued. “That very effectively could occur, however the schedule isn’t conducive for drafting a quarterback at No. 12 and beginning him straight away.”
As of early Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Nix tied for sixth among the many betting favorites at +1600 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Award for the upcoming season. That is fascinating contemplating many thought earlier than the draft that Nix would slide all the way down to the second spherical of the player-selection course of.
