Last year couldn’t have gone much better for the Denver Broncos (10-7).

The team rebuilt the entire roster, ended a seven-season losing streak, won ten games, made the playoffs, and apparently, found their quarterback of the future.

Bo Nix, the first-round selection out of the University of Oregon, would finish the season with 29 TDs, 12 INTs, 3,3775 yards passing, and multiple rookie records. The 6’2, 216 lbs. quarterback completed 66.3% of his passes, ran for 430 yards, and was named one of the finalists for NFL Rookie of the Year.

Expectations for the Broncos continued to grow after the team drafted cornerback Jahdae Barron and running back RJ Harvey to fill some needs. While adding free agent tight end Evan Engram and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, boosted an already loaded roster.

Experts and prognosticators are talking 12, 13, and even 14 wins for the Broncos this season, playoff wins, and potential Super Bowl contenders.

So why am I so skeptical?

The answer could be PTSD.

Clinically speaking, PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an affliction brought on by painful events of the past. Like the Chiefs blocking a last second field goal at Arrowhead last season, Rahim Moore failing to knock down a Hail Mary against the Ravens in the 2012 NFL Playoffs, or Denver’s 43-8 loss to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Image via Wikipedia

PTSD also stands for Peyton’s Time Since Denver.

Didn’t we all think that Drew Lock was a talented quarterback, coming off a fine rookie campaign, and ready to lead the Broncos in year two.

Wasn’t it assumed that Russell Wilson’s second year as a Bronco would go perfectly under the tutelage of Sean Payton.

Before Bo Nix, didn’t Sean Payton suggest that Jarrett Stidham might be the answer in year two.

PTSD.

Bo Nix had a phenomenal rookie year. But do you know who else passed for over 20 TDs and 3,000 yards as a rookie?

Gardner Minshew.

I like Bo Nix. I believe in Bo Nix. And I want nothing more than to have Bo Nix be the next Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or even Brock Purdy.

But I have a little PTSD.

• I know that NFL quarterbacks can have a Sophomore Slump, but Bo Nix played for three years at Auburn, two more years at Oregon as a Graduate Transfer, and he’s now 25-years-old and married. Shouldn’t that be a Senior Slump.

• Seriously, just hoping if there is a Bo Nix slide this season – it’s after a 12-yard run.

• At least his arm should be fresh. Bo’s 6.7 yard per attempt ranked 30th in the NFL last season, just ahead of Aiden O’Connell, Minshew, and Mac Jones. Those routes get any shorter and they’ll call intentional grounding.

• It would be incredible if the Sean Payton quarterback could throw like Drew Brees and run like Taysom Hill. But what if it’s the opposite.

• Anyone worried that the Nix have been choking since 1973. Wait, wrong sport.

Image via Athlon Sports

• Bo Nix acquired his lucky number 10 jersey from former Bronco quarterback, Zach Wilson. Lucky jersey from Zach Wilson? That oxymoron may need some Oxyclean to wash the Zach out of it.

From Week 8 of the NFL Season featuring the Washington Commanders at the Indianapolis Colts from Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, IN, October 30th, 2022. (All-Pro Reels / Joe Glorioso)

• Wilson is no longer in the quarterback room for Denver, but don’t worry. Nix can always lean on the veteran experience of Sam Ehlinger to get him through.

Image via Denver Broncos

• The quarterback room also has 7-year veteran Jarrett Stidham. Both Nix and Stidham played at Auburn, both are in their mid-20’s, and both are about 6’2 and 215 pounds. I guess finding the next Jarrett Stidham is easier than finding the next Peyton Manning.

• Having a quarterback room in which your competition is Sam Ehlinger and Jarrett Stidham is like having tenure at a university.

• Answer me this. If Sean Payton is so confident about the Bo Nix and the Broncos offense this season – why did he draft a punter in the 6th round.

• Drafted in the NFL as a 24-year-old rookie, asked to start right away, promising first season – whatever happened to that Will Levis?

• Pro Football Focus recently ranked Bo Nix as the 19th best quarterback in the NFL but listed him at the top of the tier when it came to “young players with a wide range of potential outcomes”. That’s so unfair. Twenty-five isn’t young.

A wide range of potential outcomes seems fitting. Quite a few rookies have thrown for over 24 TDs and 3,000 yards. But is Bo the next Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, or Jayden Daniels.

Images via Wikipedia, denverbroncos, athlonsports

Alan Tapley The Athletic Supporter

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship