Analyst suggests Broncos schedule could alter plans for QB Bo Nix

Many have assumed since late April that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will want to immediately start rookie Bo Nix at quarterback ahead of journeyman Jarrett Stidham and former New York Jets signal-caller Zach Wilson. 

However, such takes were offered before Payton learned that the Broncos will open the 2024 regular season with a Week 1 game at the Seattle Seahawks and a Week 2 home matchup versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"It's a tough spot to put him in," ESPN NFL analyst Adam Schefter said during an on-air segment on Wednesday night about Payton possibly making Nix the club's Week 1 QB1, per Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot. "Not that Sean Payton would be apprehensive about doing it if he felt it warranted it. But [at] Seattle is not an ideal spot for an NFL rookie quarterback to make his debut. The next week against Pittsburgh? Also, not ideal." 

Seattle's "12s" often create one of the loudest road environments for opposing clubs in all of the NFL while Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin is widely respected as one of the league's top head coaches and could make life difficult for any rookie quarterback starting either his first or second regular-season game. Additionally, that Week 2 showdown with the Steelers could involve Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson making his return to Denver after Payton unceremoniously showed Wilson the door in March. 

After Sept. 15, the Broncos play back-to-back road contests before returning home to host the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 6. 

"Now Bo Nix may step in with 61 college starts and be so impressive from the get-go that Sean Payton says, 'I don't care. This guy's different. There's a reason why we drafted him at No. 12 and we're starting him Week 1,'" Schefter continued. "That very well may happen, but the schedule is not conducive for drafting a quarterback at No. 12 and starting him right away." 

As of early Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Nix tied for sixth among the betting favorites at +1600 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the upcoming season. That's interesting considering many thought before the draft that Nix would slide down to the second round of the player-selection process.