The Denver Broncos were a team that surprised many in 2024.
A significant part of the Broncos' success stemmed from the chemistry between rookie quarterback Bo Nix and head coach Sean Payton, which led to a 10-7 season and the club's first playoff appearance since the 2015 campaign.
As Nix heads into Year 2, the Broncos signal-caller believes he has a better understanding of Payton's offense.
"I feel like I'm a lot further," Nix said Thursday, via the team’s website. "Just spitting out play calls [is] a lot easier, and processing. … It's a lot better. It's a lot more enjoyable not thinking right now as opposed to what I was doing last year. It's fun. It's fun to be in the know.
"It's fun to have a little bit more of an understanding of what's going on so I can be a little bit more beneficial to others and help them out along the way. I feel good. We're in a good spot."
Nix had a stellar season as a rookie, throwing for 3,775 yards for 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft also contributed 430 rushing yards for four touchdowns and one receiving TD. He ultimately finished third in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels and Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers.
Nonetheless, Nix showed potential that he could be the long-term answer at QB for Denver. Since 2015, the Broncos have had 14 different quarterbacks start under center and five head coaches at the helm. It appears that the first season of the Nix and Payton quarterback-head coach duo displayed new promise for the years ahead in a tough AFC West.
Even though the 25-year-old Nix had an impressive start to his career in the NFL, he knows there's more work to be done heading into his second campaign.
"I haven't done anything up until this point, and I have a lot to prove and a lot to show," Nix said. "Every day, it's [about] working. Every day, it's finding a way to get better. You don't want to get to Year 2 or go down the road, and all of a sudden you got stuck and didn't get any better. So, that's my focus right now.
"… It's not even worrying about what people say. Just internally, I know I have a long way to go."
With OTAs done for Denver, Nix can do more work during minicamp next week and training camp in July.
