Quarterback Bo Nix. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bo Nix reveals he received message from Broncos legend following draft

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 5/20/24

Count ex-Denver Broncos quarterback and Hall of Famer John Elway as a Bo Nix fan.

Nix revealed Elway — who won two Super Bowls in 16 seasons with Denver — sent him a congratulatory text after Denver drafted him.

"That was a cool text for sure, made my dad a little mad, I think, because that was his favorite growing up so he was a little jealous," Nix told ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "That was awesome and it was kind of like, 'Wow is this really happening?' But when you're in a special city like that where everybody supports, you know, the next generation, so that's one thing I took from that."

Despite Elway's approval, some thought the Broncos reached when they took Nix with the 12th overall pick in the draft. Speaking on "The Ryen Russillo Podcast," longtime draft analyst Todd McShay claimed it was an "arrogant pick" by head coach Sean Payton. He also pointed out several talent evaluators didn't have a first-round grade on the 24-year-old QB.

Still, Nix is more experienced than younger prospects and could silence his doubters. In 2023 at Oregon, he finished third in Heisman voting, completing an NCAA-record 77.4 percent of his passes for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns.

WOW

On 4th down Bo Nix finds Ferguson for another @oregonfootball TD pic.twitter.com/1WXMFEFVPP
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 2, 2023

Thus far, it appears he's having a smooth transition under Payton.

"[Payton] has built a pedigree; when he talks, you listen," Nix told Legwold. "It can be a lot; I think I'm being taught really well. [They're] doing a good job of narrowing everything down, making it simple so I can just get up there and process and play fast."

Mike Klis of KUSA-TV in Denver suggested QB Jarrett Stidham will start with the No. 1 offense when OTAs begin on Tuesday. However, don't be surprised if Nix supplants him.

Nix is the first QB the Broncos have selected in the first round since taking Jay Cutler with the 11th overall pick in 2006. They'll want to find out whether they made the right choice sooner rather than later.

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