(AP) The Denver Broncos drafted former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, bypassing a bevy of blue-chip defenders to grab a signal-caller they believe could be their first one since Peyton Manning to establish a foothold at the position.
The Broncos have had 13 starting QBs since Manning retired a Super Bowl champion after the 2015 season, and Denver hasn't been back to the playoffs since.
There was plenty of speculation the Broncos would have to move up to get in on the quarterback run, but they've already unloaded three first-round draft picks since 2022, including two in the Russell Wilson trade that didn't work out.
Ultimately, they didn't have to part with any picks to get the quarterback they wanted. Nix was the sixth QB selected, behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy.
The Broncos traded for quarterback Zach Wilson on Monday. The 2021 second overall pick had three disappointing seasons in New York. Also on the roster is QB Jarrett Stidham, who went 1-1 last season after Sean Payton benched Russell Wilson.
Russell Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers but remains the highest-paid player on Denver's roster because the Broncos will pay $37.79 million of his $39 million salary in 2024.