So far, the preseason has belonged to Bo Nix.
The Denver Broncos rookie quarterback stacked up highlights for the second week in a row, this time turning in a dazzling performance in a 27-2 win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
It wasn't dazzling enough for head coach Sean Payton to name him the team's regular-season starter, but it was gleaming nonetheless.
“Listen, he’s played well," Payton said. "I’m not announcing any starting quarterback tonight. I’ll let you guys know when the time comes, but I thought he played well.
"You feel his comfort level as he continues to get used to the calls coming in. You’ve got to feel the poise when he’s playing."
Nix finished his night completing 8 of 9 passes for 80 yards with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick and a 140.7 QB rating. Getting the start in front of the Mile High home crowd, Nix led two scoring drives. The first concluded with a field goal after a stupendous Nix TD toss to Javonte Williams was negated when replays showed he stepped over the line of scrimmage.
Still, in the preseason, Nix’s highlight counted in regard to the argument for him winning the starting competition versus Jarrett Stidham, who finished Sunday with a 7-of-11 passing performance for 65 yards, zero touchdowns, an interception and a bullish 9-yard rushing touchdown.
"I thought he was sharp, obviously, I think he was 8 for 9," Payton said of Nix. "He does a good job of distributing the football, understanding zones, man-to-man, what coverage concepts we’re getting."
Nix's footwork was on display during the aforementioned third-and-3 play from the Packers' 14 when he scrambled up into the pocket, broke to the outside and then floated an off-balance touchdown to a wide-open Williams for a scintillating 14-yard score -- or almost-score as it were.
"When I looked to the side I kind of had a feeling," Nix said, "but they didn’t throw a penalty so I thought I got by, but the instant replay -- gets us all."
Over two preseason games, Nix has led the Broncos on six scoring drives. He’s completed 23 of 33 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions, while producing 29 yards on the ground via six carries.
Stidham took over in the second quarter, but struggled initially to keep the offense going much as he was unable to get it going in the team’s Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He did add a highlight of his own with a scoring run in which he bowled over a defender. Nonetheless, the highlights have largely belonged to Nix and the clamoring for him to take the starting job is growing.
Nix was quick in his release and with his decision-making once again, and his accuracy was pinpoint Sunday. It's clear he's a stellar fit for Payton's offense.
"I think it’s a really good fit, especially tonight, I mean come out here and [I was] very comfortable with the first few plays that were called," Nix said. "They were kind of keeping it within my comfort level, and that’s huge, especially for someone who’s trying to get in there and execute. You want to run plays that you feel comfortable with, and that’s what coach Payton was calling tonight.”
The No. 12 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft made a strong case to be the Broncos’ regular-season starter in his preseason debut. He might have made a stronger argument on Sunday.