"Bo Nix was everything that Russell Wilson wasn't" - Broncos Super Bowl Champ takes dig at Steelers QB while praising rookie
The post-Russell Wilson era in Denver got off to a great start under Bo Nix. The rookie quarterback looked solid in his preseason debut and led the Broncos to a 34-30 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Broncos Super Bowl Champion Mark Schlereth was impressed with Nix's performance. On FS1's 'The Herd with Colin Cowherd' on Monday, Schlereth suggested that Nix is the best fit for Sean Payton out of all the quarterbacks from the 2024 draft class. [From 1:03]
"Bo Nix played exceptionally well," Schlereth said. "... the best fit, in my opinion, of any of the quarterbacks that were taken in the first round... I just thought he was a perfect fit for Sean [Payton]. And ultimately, you know, you look at the way he played. And I always talk about just pocket presence. The kid has unbelievable pocket presence. And you saw everything come to fruition."
Schlereth explained that Nix would be the starter for the Broncos in Week 1 of the regular season, against the Seattle Seahawks. In praising Nix's pocket presence and ability to avoid getting sacked, Schlereth took jabs at Russell Wilson, who was sacked 100 times during his forgettable two-year stint in Denver. He was the most sacked QB (55) in 2022 and was fourth most sacked (45) in 2023.
"Bo Nix is legitimately going to be the day one starter for the Denver Broncos... Zero sacks in that game. Everything that Russell Wilson wasn't last year for Sean Payton, Bo Nix was. I know it's only one preseason game, but this is the be been the way it's been all preseason through practices with Bo Nix."
Bo Nix evaluates his Broncos debut vs Colts
Bo Nix gave a glimpse into his potential during his preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts. The Denver Broncos QB entered the game late in the first quarter, taking over from Jarrett Stidham, and played into the second half. It was the first game he did not start since eighth grade, he told reporters last week.
Nix played well, completing 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, with a passer rating of 102.3. Four of Nix's five drives in the 34-30 win ended in points. He also had 17 yards on three rushes. Speaking to reporters after the game, the Broncos QB evaluated his performance.
"It was a good day," Nix said. "I thought we ran the ball efficiently, made some good plays in the pass game, converted some third downs, got points when we needed to. It was a good job going into half with points and coming out with points. I felt like that was a good point in the game. But overall, I felt like we did a good job. Huge team win."
Bo Nix will start the second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 18, Sean Payton announced.