The Denver Broncos announced that head coach Sean Payton has set championship expectations for second-year quarterback Bo Nix following his record-breaking rookie campaign.
Payton told reporters that Nix will emerge as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks within the next two seasons.
“He’s going to be one of the top four or five quarterbacks in the league the next two years,” Payton said. “That’s what we’re seeing right now. He doesn’t take sacks. He’s got exceptional arm strength. … He threw the longest ball — [67] air yards against Cincinnati. He can run. He can throw in funny body angles.”
Nix completed 66% of his passes for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 2024.
The former Oregon quarterback also rushed for 430 yards and four touchdowns. He recorded a 67-yard air distance throw against Cincinnati, demonstrating the arm strength Payton referenced.
Nix led Denver to their first playoff berth since the 2015 Super Bowl championship season.
The 24-year-old quarterback took over the starting role in Week 1 and never relinquished it. He became the first Broncos rookie quarterback to start a full season since John Elway’s 1983 campaign.
His completion percentage ranked third among rookie quarterbacks with at least 400 attempts since 2010.
Payton’s offense previously struggled with quarterback turnover, cycling through 11 different starters between 2016-2023. The Broncos hadn’t had a quarterback throw for more than 3,700 yards since Peyton Manning’s final season in 2015.
Nix’s mobility also separated him from previous Denver quarterbacks. His 430 rushing yards exceeded any Broncos quarterback total since Tim Tebow in 2011.
The second-year quarterback enters 2025 with two years remaining on his four-year rookie contract worth $18.7 million.
Denver’s playoff appearance marked their return to postseason play after missing eight consecutive years. The Broncos won the AFC West once during that drought, finishing with losing records in six of those eight seasons.
Payton has publicly stated Super Bowl expectations for the 2025 season.
