Bo Nix faces a tough challenge in his first NFL start as the Broncos open the season against Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks

SEATTLE — Rookie Bo Nix earned a starting quarterback position with the Denver Broncos during the offseason and training camp.

The reward? His first game will be played in one of the most challenging environments in the NFL against a defensive scheme unlike any other.

Good luck, kid.

“Seattle is a good team. They have a good defense that’s coming back (and) a lot of good players with a new scheme. It’ll be interesting to see how they come out and play,” Nix said. “I think they’re going to be very well-coached and talented. It’s going to be a hostile environment, but it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a good first game.”

Nix’s debut is one of many interesting storylines heading into Sunday’s game, when the Broncos travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks.

Denver last visited Seattle two years ago, another highly anticipated debut for the Broncos quarterback. But the first game of the Russell Wilson era in Denver ultimately defined much of his time with the Broncos — a disappointing performance and a frustrating result.

Seattle won that night and still won the trade that sent Wilson to Denver and provided the Seahawks with a slew of draft picks, but both teams have undergone massive changes since that Monday night game that opened the 2022 season.

Denver is in its second season of a makeover under Sean Payton and has handed the quarterback position to Nix in hopes of washing away the problems of two seasons with Wilson. Nix impressed his teammates enough to be named offensive captain. It was the first time since Floyd Little in 1967 that a Broncos rookie wore a “C” to open the season.

“You get a young player like Bo Nix, he’s got some skills (and) strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully we can build on those strengths and then really minimize the things that a young player might have to deal with to start the season,” Payton said.

Seattle also faced massive changes, with Pete Carroll being fired and Mike Macdonald being hired as the youngest coach in the NFL. Many elements of Seattle are the same, but the system is dramatically different.

“You really have to focus on doing your thing to the best of your ability and getting them to beat you with your fastball,” Macdonald said. “That was a message to the guys. We’re going to do our thing from now until whenever.”

Seattle’s changes have created mixed expectations for what the season could be like. Externally, the Seahawks are viewed as a .500 team, and BetMGM Sportsbook has set the over/under win total at 7½.

There is a quiet sense of confidence internally. The Seahawks like the fact that they are undervalued and there is not much hype surrounding them. There is no doubt about the talent at the skill positions on the roster. The unknowns include the offensive line and how quickly Seattle’s defense can improve from last season.

Take some Grubb

One of the biggest unknowns for Seattle is exactly what its offense will look like under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. The schemes used in the preseason were very basic, and Seattle’s offensive starters played just one series last week.

While Grubb’s college offense at Washington was highlighted by a downfield passing game that helped turn Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze into first-round picks, Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf believes it’s another aspect of the offense that will prove most important.

“In our first offensive meeting, Ryan Grubb said, ‘OK guys, I know we had explosive players, but we’re going to run the ball,’” Metcalf said.

Payday and elections

Patrick Surtain II became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history with the four-year, $96 million contract extension he signed this week.

Surtain has Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, but Payton wants him to throw more interceptions. He has seven catches in his first three NFL seasons, and the Broncos cut quarterback Justin Simmons in the offseason.

Secondary star

One of the Seahawks’ strengths is expected to be their defense, especially if Riq Woollen can shake off a disappointing sophomore season and more closely resemble the rising star of his rookie season.

Devon Witherspoon appears to be the rising star in Macdonald’s defense, and the defense is rounded out by solid defenders Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins and K’Von Wallace.

I’m still paying the price

Wilson may play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Broncos are still feeling the fallout from a trade that turned out to be very bad for the Seahawks.

Wilson signed with Pittsburgh for the veteran minimum of $1.21 million. That means the Broncos are responsible for the remaining $37.89 million on his contract through 2024. Additionally, their split saddles the Broncos with a record $85 million in dead cap space this season and next.