Bo Nix or Sam Darnold? QB Guru Identifies the Broncos Scenario That Is More Likely

Bo Nix of Oregon and Sam Darnold of Denver continue to be mentioned as potential Denver Broncos solutions.

Once upon a time, before even Drew Lock existed in the Mile High City, Sam Darnold, the quarterback for USC, captured the heart of Denver Broncos general manager John Elway. Before the 2018 NFL Draft, rumors of Elway’s infatuation with Darnold circulated, along with talk of the Broncos potentially trading up to acquire the quarterback.

Elway reportedly wanted to trade for running back Saquon Barkley with the New York Giants at the second overall pick, but that didn’t work out. The New York Jets selected Darnold with the third overall pick.

With the fifth overall pick, the Broncos chose edge rusher Bradley Chubb. In the first round of that year’s draft, five quarterbacks would ultimately hear their names called, and the Broncos had the chance to select Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson rather than Chubb—a move that many fans have since lamented.

In 2024, with a significant quarterback position to fill in the event that Russell Wilson is cut, the Broncos will have a chance to finally add Darnold to the team, even though Elway has long since left the head office. Darnold will be a free agency at the end of the season, although he is now San Francisco’s backup to Brock Purdy.

Does Sean Payton, the head coach of the Broncos, have anything to be excited about in Darnold? With the No. 12 overall pick in this year’s draft, the Broncos will have the chance to select a quarterback, but maybe not one of the top three signal-callers in the class.

There will be heated discussions over whether the Broncos should select a backup starter for another season or select a Michael Penix, Jr., Bo Nix, or J.J. McCarthy at number twelve. Anticipate that Darnold will be among the more attractive options the Broncos are considering, particularly in light of his 2018 draft classmate Baker Mayfield’s successful return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past season.

The Darnold debate will continue for the foreseeable future on Denver radio and all the local podcasts. Thought leaders in quarterbacking, such as Joel Klatt of FOX Sports, will likely be consulted in regards to a Darnold-to-Denver scenario, ultimately, Payton’s preferences will determine the kind of quarterback he wants.

In light of what Payton believes to be the perfect quarterback, Klatt recently acknowledged that he would want to err on the side of the draft if given the option between signing Darnold and selecting a quarterback like Nix at No. 12 overall.

For the foreseeable future, Denver radio and every local podcast will carry the Darnold argument. Regarding a Darnold-to-Denver scenario, quarterbacking thought leaders like Joel Klatt of FOX Sports will probably be consulted; nevertheless, in the end, Payton’s preferences will dictate the kind of quarterback he desires.

Klatt recently admitted that, if given the choice between signing Darnold and choosing a quarterback like Nix at No. 12 overall, he would want to err on the side of caution in light of what Payton deems to be the ideal quarterback.