Rookie Bo Nix worked hard during the offseason and training camp to earn the starting quarterback position for the Denver Broncos.
His reward? He will start his first game in one of the toughest places to play in the NFL against a defensive strategy that is new to everyone.
“Seattle’s a good team. They have a strong defense coming back with a lot of good players and a new scheme. It’ll be interesting to see how they play,” Nix said.
“I think they’re going to be very well coached and talented. It’s going to be a challenging environment, but it will be fun. It’ll be a good first game.”
Nix’s debut is one of many intriguing aspects for Sunday when the Broncos travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks.
The last time Denver played in Seattle two years ago, it was another highly awaited debut for a Broncos quarterback. However, Russell Wilson’s first game with the Broncos was disappointing and set the tone for his time with Denver.
Seattle won that game and ended up benefiting from the trade that sent Wilson to Denver, gaining several draft picks in return. Since then, both teams have undergone significant changes since that Monday night game that began the 2022 season.
Denver is now in its second year of rebuilding under Sean Payton and has given the QB role to Nix, hoping to move past the issues from the two seasons with Wilson.
Nix impressed his teammates so much that he was chosen as an offensive captain. This is the first time since Floyd Little in 1967 that a Broncos rookie has started the season opener with a “C” on his jersey.
“You get a young player like Bo Nix, and he has certain skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Hopefully, we can build on his strengths and address the challenges a young player might face at the start of the season,” Payton said.
