The Denver Broncos named rookie Bo Nix as their starting quarterback on Wednesday.
The first-round draft pick will become the first rookie signal-caller to start a season opener for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.
Head coach Sean Payton met with Nix and Jarrett Stidham on Wednesday morning before announcing his decision in a team meeting. Zach Wilson is also on the roster, acquired from the New York Jets in an April trade.
In two preseason games, Nix completed 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Broncos scored on six of his seven drives against the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers.
Denver opens the regular season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. The Broncos have not been to the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning under center on Feb. 7, 2016.
Last season, Denver finished 8-9. Russell Wilson, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was 7-8 and Stidham was 1-1.
Nix, 24, was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Oregon. No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and No. 2 Jayden Daniels have also been named the starters by the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, respectively.
Nix is also the first rookie quarterback to open a season for Payton, who is entering his second season in Denver after 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2006-11, 2013-21).
