Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton doesn’t seem worried about a terrible start rattling rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
“He’s been through the firestorm if you will,” Payton said in a Monday news conference. “Obviously, we would have liked to have started better, but my point is he’s someone that by nature is confident in his preparation and ability and is not going to be discouraged easily.”
Still, this season will likely test Nix, who has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 384 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions through two starts.
Denver (0-2) is last in the AFC West and has struggled to find an offensive groove. The Broncos rank 29th in the league in yards (263 YPG) and 30th in points scored (13 PPG). Nix has scored the team’s only touchdown (a four-yard rush in a 26-20 Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks) thus far.
The No. 12 overall pick is in a situation that likely sets him up for failure. ESPN Football Power Index rates the Broncos as the second-worst team in the league behind the Carolina Panthers (0-2).
On Monday, Forbes contributor Vincent Frank suggested Denver bench the 24-year-old to prevent his career from going into a tailspin.
“Nix should not see the field again until he gains more experience in practice and the Broncos actually add more skill-position talent,” wrote Frank. “They have invested too much in him to continue down the path we’ve seen from other teams in the recent past.”
However, Payton hasn’t hinted he’s willing to sit Nix. Following a 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, the rookie indicated the early struggles haven’t fazed him.
“My confidence is bigger than football,” Nix said. “It’s bigger than wins and losses.”
Regardless, the Broncos must do a better job, or Nix’s career could continue to head in the wrong direction.
