Bo Nix is just teeing off on the front nine of his career, but his head coach thinks he plays as methodically as a seasoned pro.
Sean Payton had nothing but positive reports after seeing the Broncos' new franchise quarterback at work Saturday in rookie minicamp, citing no surprises and the right combination of patience and accuracy.
“Location of throws. He had two or three down-the-field throws today," Payton said when asked to explain how Nix had a good practice. "It’s almost like watching a good golfer. Sometimes when you watch his game over two years, there’s a patience to how he plays. The ball comes out and -- I don’t want to use the term boring, that’s not the right term -- but pretty good decisions with each play. The efficiency with how he’s operating. All of that.”
Denver might prefer the excitement of highlight-reel throws once the season rolls around, but Nix delivering a non-flashy, efficient operation in May bodes well while he's still getting his feet under him.
It's also what the Broncos expected of him when selecting Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in April's draft. General manager George Paton said following the decision that the club believes Nix, 24 years old with 61 collegiate starts, is more "game-ready" than younger QBs.
Payton's witnessed nothing to dispel that notion through two days of camp.
“No, it’s been exactly what we saw," he said when asked if he's been surprised by anything with the new QB. "The only thing I can think about that was a little bit of a surprise is when we went to work him out privately and stood around him, he was bigger than I expected. But nothing in the last two days. He’s doing well.”
The obvious caveat is that two days is a miniscule sample size for the pro Nix stands to develop into. For his part, though, Nix -- who said he wishes he played golf the way he quarterbacks -- is open to all the weight that comes with trying to return the Broncos to the glory days of Peyton Manning or John Elway.
“Can’t believe I get to wear a Broncos jersey and go out there and do what so many greats have done before me," Nix said. "I don’t take that lightly and I’m not gonna take it for granted. Obviously, pressure gives you opportunities, so the more pressure and responsibility you have, just the more that you have to go out there and consistently earn it.”
Nix comes from Oregon to Denver during a negative streak not seen by the franchise in over 50 years. The Broncos are currently mired in a run of seven consecutive losing seasons, the longest such stretch since 1972, when they capped off an entire decade of seasons under .500.
They haven't returned to the postseason since capturing Super Bowl 50 during their 2015 campaign, Manning's last in the NFL.
Since then, the Broncos have failed to find success with starters such as Trevor Siemian, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater and, most recently, Russell Wilson before releasing him earlier this offseason.
To turn it around, Nix will have to prove he's everything Denver believes he is.
That would be plenty exciting for the Broncos faithful.