Bo Nix will not play in the Denver Broncos’ second preseason game, which is at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced the decision after practice on Thursday.
Payton said that neither he nor Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon will have their full allotment of starters.
There will be a few exceptions, but Payton’s excluded Nix and several others from that group.
“Neither Jonathan or myself are going to play the ones. Now, there’ll be a few. There’s five, six players that are on a eight-play pitch count that we consider ones. But maybe lack of reps, or for whatever reason, Payton told reporters on August 14.
“We’re going to feature really two phases. The twos – and when I say the twos, don’t read into [that label]. Basically there’s going to be a group in the first half and a group in the second half. But your front line, O line, D line, QB, corner, receiver, I’m going to sit those guys, only because of the uniqueness of two of these [joint practices] in a week’s time frame.”
“Next week, I’m gonna play those guys eight to 10 plays and get them out,” Payton said.
“I kind of have a plan as to how they’ll play in New Orleans, but that’s what you can expect going into this game.”
The Broncos beat the San Francisco 49ers 30-9 in the preseason opener after joint practices, but Nix was the only Denver QB without a touchdown pass. He told teammate Courtland Sutton and “Up & Adams” host Kay Adams he was displeased with Tuesday’s practice.
Nix, who made history several times as a rookie, rebounded for the Broncos on Thursday.
Bo Nix Turns Heads in Broncos Joint Practice With Cardinals
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos warm up before facing the San Francisco 49ers.
By many accounts, Nix had his best day of practice in Broncos training camp on Thursday, per DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens, in that joint session with the Cardinals, and it came just days after he lamented his energy.
Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson, who, like Nix, hails from Alabama, lauded the Broncos QB’s development. Wilson believes Nix “definitely made the Year 2 leap.”
“Just comparing what I saw last year with him as a rookie, and he was out there making no-look throws and stuff,” Wilson told reporters on August 14. “I’m just really – just happy for him, honestly. A guy who’s from Alabama. I’m from Alabama, too. So, I’m extremely proud to see what he do the rest of his career and things like that.”
Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell told media members that Nix has what it takes.
Stevens said Nix “absolutely sliced up the Cardinals’ defense in another post after practice and was not alone in lauding the Broncos’ young QB.
“After a so-so preseason outing, #Broncos QB Bo Nix shines in joint practice with Cardinals,” The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson posted on X. “He throws the ball all over the field to a multitude of receivers.”
9News’ Mike Klis called Nix “sharp” on the day in a post on X.
Rival Coaches & Execs Weigh In on Bo Nix
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Broncos are counting on another big season from Nix, and the expectations are not just coming from within. Nix’s record-setting rookie season has set a standard that many now expect he will not only meet, but surpass this coming season.
An anonymous former general manager believes that Nix was “fortunate” to have the support of a “strong system and a “strong defense.”
The GM said the fit is so strong that the system could allow Nix to beat expectations.
“He’s got processing, he’s got vision and he’s got accuracy,” the former GM said, per The Athletic’s Mike Sando in an August 14 article breaking the league’s passers into tiers.. “He is definitely going to win. He has a chance to elevate.”
An anonymous defensive coach told Sando that Nix “looks pretty sharp,” citing his decision-making with the ball and saying he runs and throws “better than you think.”
That coach said Nix seems like a “good competitor” who elevates his teammates.
“I think the biggest strength is he is very mobile and can keep his eyes down the field when he’s moving,” an offensive coach said, per Sando. “He made big plays on the move. That being said, I’m being generous with the 2. Now you have people with tape on him. The one thing I know about Sean (Payton), he is no fool. He is going to get players in there. They should not have a shortage of playmakers.”
The offensive coach compared Nix to Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft. The Broncos selected Nix with the 12th pick.
That coach also believes Nix could show more growth than Daniels from Year 1 to Year 2.
Sando ranked Nix 20th on the list, tying him with Seattle Seahawks newcomer Sam Darnold, and in the third tier of QBs.
“A Tier 3 quarterback is a legitimate starter but needs a heavier running game and/or defensive component to win,” Sando wrote in the section’s header. “A lower-volume dropback passing offense suits him best.”
Nix led the Broncos to a 10-win season in 2024, ranking sixth in the NFL in pass attempts.
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