Broncos’ Bo Nix shares joy after historic captaincy pick

On Wednesday, the Denver Broncos announced their captains for the 2024 season. To everyone’s surprise, rookie quarterback Bo Nix was named one of the offensive captains.

The Broncos naming Nix a starter was a historic move, as he is the first rookie to serve as a team captain since 1967. In 1967, rookie running back Floyd Little was named the Broncos captain. Little went on to have an outstanding career with the Broncos, earning him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

After Wednesday’s training Nix shared his excitement about this great honor.

“It’s an honor. It’s a privilege. I’m happy to be with this group. (I’m) excited to be the captain,” Nix said. “I don’t take it lightly, I know it’s a big deal. It hasn’t happened often, but I’m not going to take it for granted. I have to come to work every day and just prove that I can be the captain.”

Bo Nix’s first serious test: away game against Seattle Seahawks

The Broncos open their season in Seattle on Sunday against the Seahawks. After being named the starting quarterback in the preseason, Nix’s first big test will come on the road in front of a fan base that is known for being incredibly loud during games.

It would no doubt be a tall order for any rookie quarterback. Despite being on his way to his first professional regular-season start, Nix feels up to the challenge.

“Seattle is a good team. They have a good defense coming back (and) a lot of good players with a new scheme. They’re going to be very well-coached. They’re going to be talented. It’s going to be a hostile environment, but it’s going to be fun and it’s going to be a good first game.”

Nix showed poise and composure in the preseason, completing 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. His composure, in addition to his performance, ultimately earned him a spot in the starting lineup.

Nix’s teammate Courtland Sutton is excited about the young quarterback’s play and believes he fully deserves the captain’s role.

“He’s very mature, he’s got a lot of college games under his belt,” Sutton said of Nix. “…I think he’s going to continue to work hard … grind … come to work every day with the mindset that he’s going to get better … He’s got a C on his chest, he carries himself that way, he carries himself like a leader.”

His teammates believed in Nix, and Broncos coach Sean Payton stood by his decision to make him a captain, emphasizing that the role was not handed to him by accident.

“(It’s) something you earn,” Payton said. “… It’s unusual for a rookie to be named captain… First time for me, I’m just saying rookie period, to be fair… It’s a credit to him and I think his teammates felt like he should have that position.”

The Broncos and Seahawks will begin their Week 1 matchup on Sunday, September 8 at 2:05 p.m. Mountain Time.