As the Denver Broncos prepare for the upcoming NFL season, quarterback Bo Nix is gaining attention for his leadership and quarterback progress during his rookie year. Entering his second season, Nix has impressed teammates and coaches alike with increasing confidence and on-field awareness, signaling a promising future for the team.
Broncos Wide Receiver Troy Franklin’s Growth in Confidence
Wide receiver Troy Franklin, a fourth-round pick in 2024, is also entering his second professional year with the Broncos. Franklin has acknowledged the importance of building confidence during practice sessions and maintaining composure in games to improve his performance.
It was just about me calming my mind down, going out there, trusting my process, trusting what the coaches tell me, our film and the things we’ve done in practice,
Franklin said, via Aric DiLalla of the team’s site.
It really does start with making the plays in practice. That helps a lot.
Last season, Franklin recorded 28 receptions for 263 yards and scored two touchdowns. He notes that catching his first touchdown in Week 6 helped elevate his confidence, which positively impacted his mindset heading into the offseason.
We didn’t finish [the season] how we wanted to, but for me, personally, I caught a touchdown [and] my confidence was definitely up,
Franklin said.
Most definitely, it gave me a good [mindset] to go into the offseason and get to work.
Head coach Sean Payton has observed significant improvements in Franklin’s play speed and awareness. He praised Franklin’s physical development over the offseason and his growing explosiveness on the field.
There’s that [saying that] repetition is the mother of learning,
Payton commented.
You’re seeing him play faster with a much greater awareness within each play. He’s extremely explosive, and I think he’s, I would say, five pounds heavier. A little thicker. He’s had a good spring.
Bo Nix’s Emerging Leadership and On-Field Maturity
Bo Nix has quickly established himself as a leader within the Broncos locker room. Safety Brandon Jones highlighted Nix’s confident demeanor and competitive spirit, which have helped motivate the team throughout his rookie season and into the next.
Jones commented on Nix’s commanding presence as a starting quarterback, saying,
“I love that. I never wanted to be somewhere where a quarterback is kind of shy or to himself. I think if a quarterback can show that ‘dawg’ mentality, that goes a long ways for me and it keeps us battling. It keeps the competition super healthy and very competitive. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him in that standpoint.”
Jones has noticed significant strides in Nix’s game understanding and his ability to read defenses, skills that are critical for long-term success at the quarterback position.
He added,
“I have, and I’ve seen his overall comfort level on the field. You can see he’s doing a really good job of trying to diagnose the defense, which goes a super long way especially as a quarterback. A lot of young quarterbacks kind of struggle with that early on. He’s done a really good job of dissecting the defense, and figuring out what we are playing and making the right checks that he needs to make. He’s definitely made a lot of strides.”
Impressions of New Talent in the NFL: Raiders’ Darien Porter
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders are optimistic about cornerback Darien Porter, a third-round pick who made an immediate impression on the coaching staff during offseason practices. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon praised Porter’s speed and game readiness, noting the value of his extensive college experience.
When you’ve played six years in college and you got that many reps, it’s practice and he plays fast,
McMahon said, via Levi Edwards of the team’s website.
He’s a big player that plays really, really fast. He’s detailed and he’s got a lot of [traits] we can’t teach what he can do.
Looking Ahead: What Bo Nix’s Development Means for the Broncos
Bo Nix’s continued growth in confidence, decision-making, and leadership signals an encouraging direction for the Broncos as they build their offense around him. His ability to read defenses effectively and lead his teammates with a competitive mindset will be vital to Denver’s success in the coming season.
Alongside emerging talents like Troy Franklin and strong contributions from the coaching staff, the Broncos appear poised to improve on last year’s efforts. How Nix and his supporting cast perform in training camp and early games will offer a clearer picture of their potential impact in the NFL.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What religion is Bo Nix?
A. He is married to Izzy Smoke, who was once a cheerleader at Auburn. Nix follows the Christian faith.
Q. What is Bo Nix’s religion?
A. He is the grandson of Conrad Nix, a seasoned high school football coach. His younger brother, Caleb, plays safety for the Clemson Tigers, while his adopted brother, Tez Johnson, is a wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is married to Izzy Smoke, who used to be a cheerleader at Auburn. Nix follows the Christian faith.
Q. Does Bo Nix have big hands?
A. Bo Nix may have large hands, but this doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll manage the ball better than JJ McCarthy, who has smaller hands.