September 21st 2024.
Hey there, Broncos Country! I know things haven't been going too well for us lately, especially with our rookie quarterback Bo Nix. We were all so excited and hopeful after his impressive performances during training camp and the preseason, but now we find ourselves at 0-2 with Nix throwing four interceptions and no touchdowns. It's definitely not the start we were hoping for, but let's not hit the panic button just yet. It's still early in the season and Nix is just like any other first-year starting quarterback, facing some challenges and growing pains.
In fact, not only Nix, but also fellow rookies Jayden Daniels from Washington and Caleb Williams from Chicago are struggling as well. One stat that stands out is that the three of them have yet to throw a touchdown pass in their combined 196 attempts, making it the longest streak of consecutive passes without a touchdown by rookie quarterbacks in NFL history, according to Opta Stats. So, it's safe to say that they are all facing similar difficulties as they adjust to the big leagues.
But before we start pointing fingers at the rookies, let's also consider the organizations they have joined. One common issue among these three teams is the lack of protection for their quarterbacks. Williams, Daniels, and Nix have been pressured a total of 92 times, with Chicago and Denver ranking fourth and fifth in the league for most pressures allowed. Williams has been sacked nine times, tying for the most in the league with Gardner Minshew from Las Vegas and Jacoby Brissett from New England. In the Bears' game against the Texans, Williams was constantly under pressure, resulting in seven sacks and a rough day for the young quarterback.
Similarly, Daniels has been struggling to connect with his wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who only has eight catches for 39 yards in two games. This can partly be attributed to the offensive line's inability to protect Daniels, who has been under pressure 25 times so far. In fact, he has the shortest time to throw among all NFL quarterbacks, according to Next Gen Stats. So, while Daniels has managed to put up decent numbers, it's clear that he's not getting the support he needs from his offensive line.
When it comes to Nix, it's not just the offensive line that's causing problems. The whole offense, including the coaching staff, has been struggling. Denver's run game has been predictable and rookie running back Javonte Williams has not been able to produce. This has resulted in Nix having to drop back and throw the ball 88 times, tied for the fourth most in the league. And to make matters worse, the Broncos' pass catchers have been struggling to create separation in man coverage, making it even harder for Nix to find open receivers.
But it's not just the offensive line and the play-calling that's to blame. Nix and Williams have also had their fair share of mistakes and moments where they seemed overwhelmed. Nix's four interceptions were a result of him trying to make something out of nothing and throwing into double or even triple coverage. Similarly, Williams has had some questionable decisions, like backpedaling 10 yards before being sacked for a 19-yard loss and throwing an interception in the fourth quarter against the Texans.
However, let's not forget that these are still young and inexperienced quarterbacks. They are bound to make mistakes and go through some growing pains. Even top quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Jared Goff had rough starts to their careers before blossoming into top players in the league. So, let's not give up on Nix, Williams, and Daniels just yet. They have the potential to become great quarterbacks in the future, and we should have patience and trust in the process.
And hey, let's not forget that there's still plenty of football left to be played. There's no need to push the panic button just yet. We have seen how quickly things can turn around in the NFL, and I have no doubt that these rookies will continue to improve and make a positive impact on their teams. So, let's keep supporting them and cheering on our Broncos as we look forward to what the rest of the season holds. And if you want to stay updated on all things Broncos, don't forget to sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all the latest news and analysis. Go Broncos!
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