NFL exec sends strong message on former Oregon and Auburn football star Bo Nix

One unnamed NFL executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando that former Oregon and Auburn football star Bo Nix will be "legit" in Sean Payton's offense and foresees him having a far better run with the Denver Broncos than his predecessor, Russell Wilson.

"I'm betting on it [succeeding] heavily," the executive said (h/t Bleacher Report). "Bo has experience, he has enough arm talent and I think he is going to do what he is coached to do. Sean Payton's system is optimal for him. Bo is not going to go off-script as much as Russ was going to do. Look, I don't want him to be successful, but I think he is going to be legit there."

Nix, the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, could be, and very likely will be, stepping into a starting role immediately despite Denver's acquisition of Zach Wilson prior to the draft.

Former Auburn football QB Jarrett Stidham still in the mix for Broncos' starting QB job

Jarrett Stidham is an outside contender for the Broncos' QB1 job, though the writing on the wall is that he didn't do enough at the end of the 2023 season to convince Payton and Co. to pursue upgrades elsewhere on the roster.

The former Auburn signal-caller by way of Baylor has been a career backup but surpassed Wilson last season due to the former albatross contract-owner's perceived attitude problems that previously had him owning a personal locker room at the Broncos practice facility. He's likely the third-string option at this point, though Wilson didn't exactly convince many that he's a must-play based on his stint with the NY Jets.

Stidham likely isn't long for Denver like Nix is, but for at least the next few months, he will be sharing a QB room with the man who replaced him on the Plains under center.