Former Auburn football star the QB1 frontrunner in NFL's worst QB room

Former Auburn football star Bo Nix is the Denver Broncos' frontrunner to start under center during the 2024 season according to James Palmer; who called Sean Payton's quarterback room the worst in the NFL.

"Let's first say that it's early, but this is probably the worst quarterback room in football. Now that can change after this season. But that's just from [the] track record of the guys in the room," Palmer told host Kay Adams on the Up and Adams Podcast (h/t Mile High Huddle). "But the front runner is Bo Nix because I really do believe, and this is outside of the norm for Sean Payton to play rookies at really any position, but if you look at everything that's going on in Denver, the number one thing that they need to figure this season is if Bo Nix was the right pick at 12—that's it. That is the point of the 2024 season in Denver. Was Bo Nix at 12 the right play, because they were about the only team, as I called around, that was going to pick Bo Nix in that area."

Of course, Denver's QB room is the worst as of now, since by Palmer's own admission, the frontrunner is unproven. Nix was the lowest-drafted QB in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft at No. 12 overall. By season's end, though, there's a good chance the Broncos are getting more production from the position than the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, or even Chicago Bears -- who are all also likely relying on rookies as well.

Bo Nix shares Broncos QB room with fellow Auburn football alum

Nix is not alone as the only Auburn alum in the Broncos' QB room. Ex-Tiger Jarrett Stidham joins him, and the Texas-born gunslinger may be the biggest competition to Nix in the Mile High City to start for Payton.

Once thought to be a potential cut candidate, Stidham has been impressing during OTAs and comes in with more momentum than Zach Wilson, who's coming off a disastrous stint with the New York Jets.

There's a better chance than not that Denver's starting QB in 2024 will have come from the Plains.