“Dropped back, threw it to the other team.” Bo Nix‘s candid description of his costly interception might not win any poetry contests, but it perfectly captures the rookie quarterback’s straight-shooting approach to his NFL struggles. As the Denver Broncos stumble to a 0-2 start, Nix is keeping his chin up and his perspective refreshingly down-to-earth.
The Broncos’ latest setback, a 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, saw Nix complete 20 of 35 passes for 246 yards. But those stats don’t tell the whole story. Two interceptions, including a momentum-killing pick in the end zone, left Denver fans groaning and wondering if their offensive woes from last season have carried over.
Yet, amid all the gloom, Nix is proving to be a shining emblem of retained strength. “I got good confidence,” he said after the game, according to X’s Zac Stevens. “I think I’ll continue to get better and look in the mirror and see what I can do and evaluate myself.” This is the kind of mature attitude you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a rookie facing the NFL’s crucible.
Nix’s journey to this point hasn’t been a walk in the park. After three seasons at Auburn and two at Oregon, he’s no stranger to adversity. Maybe that’s why his head remains cool. “Football’s just a game that we come out here and have fun playing,” says Nix. “We make it a very big deal because sometimes it is. There’s a lot of people out there anticipating the game and the atmosphere and wins and losses. But I think it’s important to keep good perspective.”
This isn’t to say Nix is taking his role lightly. He was quick to add, “Now don’t make a mistake about it: I’m going out there competing my tail off trying to win every single game for this team behind me because they deserve it.” It’s a delicate balance of perspective and determination that could serve Nix well in the long run.
The Broncos offense is still a work in progress
Although his mindset might be in the right place, the Broncos offense still isn’t on track. The team’s problems were plainly visible in the Steelers game, with Denver converting just two of 12 third-down attempts.
The pivotal moment in the game came in the third quarter – quarterback Nix was creating with completions for 26 yards and then another 49-yard completion. He found himself on Pittsburgh’s 7-yard line. Momentum was swaying Pittsburgh’s way. Then came the blow. Nix threw a pass that Steelers rookie cornerback Corey Trice Jr. intercepted in the end zone, stopping Denver cold at what might have been its best chance for points in this game.
“That falls on me,” Nix admitted, showing a willingness to shoulder the blame. “That was just a bad decision. Can’t have that.” It’s the kind of accountability that can win over teammates and coaches, even if the on-field results aren’t there yet.
Though Coach Sean Payton had to admit that his team is in the devil’s domain, he still sees potential in this green behind-the-ears signal-caller. “I think he’s got the right makeup and personality,” Payton said, as reported by ESPN. “Look, he was running around, he’s competing. There’s some pressures. There’s a missed protection late in the game. Those are frustrating things. I said this a week ago: We need to be better around him. Listen, this guy, he’s been through it. It’d be different if he hadn’t.”
Payton’s words signal not simply a need for Nix to improve but a more generalized requirement; the Broncos’ offense altogether needs to produce. As the team turns from Pittsburgh towards next week’s game with Tampa Bay, all eyes are glued on how well this young quarterback and his offense will respond to an early season examination.
Meanwhile, Nix keeps things in perspective Himself. “My confidence is bigger than football,” he said. “It’s bigger than wins and losses.” In a league where every error gets magnified to an inch of its life.
