The Mile High City is full of life and it’s not just because of its altitude. Denver Broncos have a new sheriff in town, and his name is Bo NixBut before we dive into this rookie sensation, let’s look back at last season’s fireworks – and not the good kind.

Remember when Sean Payton looked like a vein was about to burst when he yelled at him? Russell Wilson during this Nozzles Game? This wasn’t just a bad day at the office; it was the culmination of a season-long struggle. As Nick Kosmider of The Athletic pointed out on the Rich Eisen Show last week, “Russell Wilson’s 100 sacks in his final two years with the Denver Broncos” were enough to make any coach see red. But Payton? He saw a change coming.

Enter Bo Nix, the quarterback whisperer’s new protégé. Mark Schlereth, the Broncos legend, could hardly contain his excitement on “The Stinkin Truth Podcast.” Yesterday he boldly announced: “This is the best quarterback-head coach combination of anyone drafted this year.” High praise from a man who has experienced many QB-coaching tandems.

But what makes Nix so special? First of all, he has more college starts under his belt than some NFL players have game-day uniforms. Schlereth broke it down: “No one in college football history has started more games in college than Bo Nix with 61.” That’s a lot of Saturday nights spent under the lights, folks.

And the accuracy? Nothing hits the bullseye more often than an experienced archer. Schlereth couldn’t help but rave: “In the history of college football, no one had a better hit rate last year than Bo Nix, who had over 77%.” Statistics like these keep defensive coordinators awake at night.

Payton’s excitement is palpable and reminiscent of his early days with a certain future Hall of Famer in New Orleans. As Schlereth put it: “Not since Drew Brees retired has Sean Payton seen this much enthusiasm and confidence in Bo Nix’s ability to successfully execute his offense.” This is a far cry from the Russell Wilson debate in Denver!

Bo Nix brings the “Brees” that Denver needed

Let’s face it, Wilson and Payton’s relationship was about as smooth as a Rocky Mountain trail. The sideline scuffle during the Jets game? It wasn’t just for show. Wilson had fumbled at a crucial moment, and it was the third turnover of the game. Payton later tried to downplay it by saying he wanted “Make sure he (Wilson) knew the linebacker was a free rusher.” But actions speak louder than words, and Payton’s actions screamed.

Enter Bo Nix – a cool guy who’s just around the corner and will add some momentum to Denver’s offense. In his final year at Oregon, Nix only had 5 sacks all season and threw for an incredible 4,145 yards. Not only is he good, but Drew Brees is at his best.

Former NFL quarterback Jordan Palmer shed light on Nix’s mental strength during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show last month: “Bo Nix was on some bad Auburn teams and was blamed for a lot of things. His father played there, he grew up there, that’s a lot of pressure. He failed before and then went to Oregon and succeeded.”

It’s not just about avoiding sacks and working under pressure. Nix offers a football intelligence that is through the roof. As Schlereth said, “Reading the ball from the neck up and delivering it in time. Bo Nix is ​​incredible at that.” It’s like he has a supercomputer between his ears that reads the defense before you can even say, “Oh, Omaha! “

And let’s not forget his preseason performance. Like completing 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, throwing no interceptions and avoiding sacks? That’s a stat that makes coaches break out the good whiskey.

Nix will be one of the focal points as the Broncos prepare for their season opener against Seattle. Will he handle the treacherous conditions at Lumen Field? Will he finally be the quarterback to help fill the Manning-sized void in Denver? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the Broncos have found their captain and he appears ready to lead them deeper into uncharted territory.