Broncos players share what makes QB Bo Nix special after stellar rookie season

NFL analysts and reporters who criticized the Denver Broncos for making quarterback Bo Nix the 12th overall pick of the 2024 draft looked rather silly after Nix guided the Broncos to a 10-7 record and a postseason berth. 

Veteran tight end Evan Engram joined the Broncos in March and has thus far only worked with Nix through springtime workouts that wrapped up earlier this month. During a recent chat with Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital, Engram touched upon what he learned about the 25-year-old signal-caller during the offseason program. 

"My favorite thing about him is just his mentality and the way he thinks and the way he talks to himself, talks to his teammates," Engram said. "The way he’s wired upstairs in the brain is really impressive for a kid coming into his second year at the quarterback position. I’ve seen it year in and year out. I feel like I’m a product of just having that mentality that success will find you." 

According to StatMuse, Nix led all rookie quarterbacks last season with 33 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. He was second among first-year pros behind only Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders (4,459) with 4,205 combined passing and rushing yards.

Daniels recorded 31 total touchdowns and then led the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. He ultimately claimed Offensive Rookie of the Year Award honors, while Nix finished third in voting. 

"Bo's a tremendous football player," Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles said during an appearance on Wednesday's edition of NFL Network's "The Insiders" program, as shared by Nick Shook of the league's website. "I'm so grateful I get to protect him and be his blindside protector, giving him all the time in the world. He's a freak of nature. You look at the numbers that he put up last year, between him and Daniels, those were the two young quarterbacks in the league that's gonna be very successful, and I have one of them behind me. His demeanor, his composure, his work ethic, just always wanting to get better, his arm talent and just the way he sees it, he has swag, man, he really does."

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Broncos at -105 odds to notch over 9.5 wins during the upcoming season. It sounds like Engram, Bolles and others in the Denver locker room believe Nix has the goods to avoid a sophomore slump later this year. 

"I’m really impressed with him so far," Engram added. "The talent is there, the work ethic is there. I’ve seen it on film, kind of trying to figure out what team I wanted to go to. I watched the Broncos, and just even being around him, the talent’s there."

Interestingly, Nix revealed in May that an unnamed teammate helps keep him humble and reminds him that he hasn't "done anything yet" at the highest level. The identity of that Denver player remains a mystery after both Engram and Bolles offered high praise for their QB1.