Bo Nix love in Broncos Country: justified or desperation?

While not unanimous, there is certainly a segment of Denver Broncos fans more than ready for the Bo Nix era, but are these feelings coming from a source of logic or emotion?

Let’s begin by saying that the opinion on new Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix, by both fans of the team and those on the outside, is divided.

While some, like the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, former Bronco Mark Schlereth, and legendary college coach Nick Saban, have been complimentary of the young QB, others, like draft expert Mel Kiper (and just about anyone in a similar role), have been critical of both the pick and Nix’s game/potential in general.

The same goes for fans of the Broncos, with some moaning about the pick like an average Jets fan and others elated that the team finally has someone the team can develop into a franchise player.

It’s the latter this post will be discussing, for as aforementioned, the criticism of Nix has been loud and clear. Is the optimism of the opposition to that narrative based on reason or delusion?

The truth is that it probably lies somewhere in the middle, and to understand why fans could be excited about a pick that has been criticized so harshly, it’s important to understand what the Broncos have been through in regards to the QB position.

Since Peyton Manning retired before the 2016 season, the team has gone through more QBs than a fat guy through slices in a pizza buffet line. To be specific, the Broncos have had 13 different players start at QB for the team since Manning hung up the cleats.

Think about it. Fans experienced the highest of highs with the best QB in the game for four years and have since experienced nothing but severe withdrawal. The closest the team came to anything resembling solid QB play was three average-to-above average seasons from Trevor Siemian, Teddy Bridgewater, and Russell Wilson. To be fair, Drew Lock showed promise in limited starts his rookie season, but he face planted as a full-time starter.

So can anyone really blame anyone Broncos Country residents for being perhaps a little TOO optimistic?

Imagine just finishing a grueling, taxing, tiresome triathlon and are dying of thirst and hunger...are you really going to complain about whatever food and drink is served to you? No, you are going to be elated just to be putting calories in your body.

And the same goes with Bo Nix.

Sure, there may be a significant gap, at least on paper, between Caleb Williams and Nix, but what Nix represents to Broncos fans is hope. Is hope and desperation related at times? Yes. Yet, while Broncos Country is, in fact, desperate for respectable, winning QB play, that doesn’t necessarily mean excitement regarding Nix is unfounded. Despite what critics want to say.

The main critiques against Nix seem to be the following:

• He’s 24 years old and may have already reached his potential
• His stats are inflated by...