The Denver Broncos have been in football purgatory since Peyton Manning’s retirement from the NFL in 2016.
Following Manning’s retirement, the Broncos have had 13 different starting quarterbacks. Four of those quarterbacks — Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Drew Lock — were drafted by Denver. None of them worked out.
The Broncos returned to the draft well this spring and picked Bo Nix. Denver coach Sean Payton believes Nix can be the team’s new franchise quarterback, and fans in Denver hope he’s right.
Nix made his (preseason) NFL debut against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and the rookie impressed, throwing for 125 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. After watching Nix’s performance, former Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe posted a perfect reaction on Twitter/X.
“Huge relief to see that Bo Nix doesn’t suck,” Wolfe tweeted.
Wolfe played in Denver from 2012-2019, suffering through four seasons in the post-Manning era that featured seven different starting quarterbacks. Five years after Wolfe’s retirement, the Broncos might now finally have stability at the position.
“I’m excited again!” Wolfe tweeted on Sunday. “Let’s see what this kid can do as a starter. For the first time in 8 years I think we finally have a QB1 that can compete in the AFC West.”
Nix is set to start in Denver’s second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday. The rookie will look to build on his performance that impressed Wolfe — and Broncos fans — in Indianapolis.
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