The Denver Broncos have some very difficult decisions ahead of them as the 2024 NFL season approaches. Most Broncos fans seem to think Bo Nix should be the team's starting quarterback in Week 1 barring a catastrophe, but it just can't be that simple.
The Broncos have tabbed Nix as their future, that much is obvious. But they can't be negligent in throwing him out onto the field. It is true in most professions that there is no better way to learn than to just go out and do it, but precautions still need to be taken.
The Broncos are in a position where they haven't had consistently good quarterback play since Peyton Manning was around. They must approach this situation in a calculated way.
Broncos running game could determine when Bo Nix starts at QB
It will obviously be important for Nix to have a good set of options in the passing game. But don't overlook the running game.
The Broncos have a chance to have a solid running game this year but it's completely up in the air as to how the backfield will be formed.
The team has veteran options in Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine as well as a hungry second-year player in Jaleel McLaughlin. But the young duo of Audric Estime and Blake Watson have to figure in as they could legitimately be the two best running backs on the roster at some point.
The Broncos are going to want to take a run-first approach, as they intended last season. If they can establish a strong running game to support Nix and give him manageable third downs to work with, we will see him on the field. But if the running game struggles and leaves the quarterback in third-and-long situations regularly, that is not a formula in which to put Nix in right away.
If that is the case, either Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson should be the starting quarterback until the run game gets going.
There will be so many factors in deciding when Nix will be "the guy" this season and this is just one of those.
