Bo Nix's Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds Suggest He Could Still Win Broncos' Quarterback Job

Bo Nix was lasted as the No. 3 quarterback on the Denver Broncos' initial depth chart, but the odds suggest he still has a shot to win the starting job.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Don't count out Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix as a candidate to win the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award before he's even played a preseason snap.

It was shared by ESPN's Adam Schefter the Nix is the No. 3 quarterback on Denver's depth chart at the moment, which may have looked like a knock of his OROY stock ahead of the 2024 season.

Broncos are listing Jarrett Stidham as their starting quarterback on the first depth chart of the season. Rookie first-round pick Bo Nix is listed as third string.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2024

However, that may not be the case.

According to DNVR's Zac Stevens, Denver listed all of its rookies in last on the depth chart at their position -- an old-school approach this early in camp.

The Broncos took an old-school approach to building their first unofficial depth chart, per source.

Every rookie is listed last in their position, regardless of reps and/or performance so far.

Hence, at least a reason why Bo Nix is listed as the third QB.

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 6, 2024

So, there is still a real chance that Nix, a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, could beat out veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson for the starting job in Denver.

Oddsmakers seem to think that may happen, as Nix is fifth in the odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award this season at +1600, passing Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the most recent odds. The two QBs were tied at +1600 earlier this offseason, but McCarthy has fallen to +2000.

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

• Caleb Williams +135
• Jayden Daniels +550
• Marvin Harrison, Jr. +650 
• Malik Nabers: +1400
• Bo Nix +1600
• JJ McCarthy +2000
• Xavier Worthy +2500
• Drake Maye +2500
• Keon Coleman +2500

Can Bo Nix Win Denver Broncos' Quarterback Job?

The latest odds for the Broncos starting quarterback feature Nix as the favorite, and for good reason.

Broncos Starting Quarterback Odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

• Bo Nix: -200
• Jarrett Stidham: +154
• Zach Wilson: +7000

Let's be honest, Denver would like it if Nix outshines Stidham and Wilson enough to be the unquestioned starter in Week 1 after it invested a high first-round pick in him this offseason.

Stidham is a journeyman and mainly a backup in his career while Wilson, a former No. 2 overall pick, has yet to prove that he can start at the NFL level.

So far in camp, there have been a lot of positive reports regarding Nix's play, and he was the clear choice by head coach Sean Payton, a good sign for his chances of starting this season.

I’m hearing and reading a lot of excellent stuff from Bo Nix today in practice

His audibles at the LOS is quite impressive. He’s been picking up things quickly

He’s operating the offense pretty well early into learning the system pic.twitter.com/HwQEvTlvUt

— Jordan Lopez (@JordanTLopez) August 2, 2024

Not only that, but Denver's players have complimented Nix, a sign that the youngster has already established himself in the locker room. After several years of subpar quarterback play, and the Russell Wilson era going poorly, Denver certainly could use a new leader at QB1.

It’s not just that Broncos teammates are praising Bo Nix — it’s that most of them who answer questions about the rookie QB are pointing to different things he does well — which says something about the kind of QB Denver just might have: pic.twitter.com/vjAnynPTdE

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 7, 2024

There's still a long way to go in the offseason, and Nix will have to play well in the preseason to win the starting job, but he's ahead of two other quarterbacks from this draft class -- McCarthy and Drake Maye -- who were both picked over him.

Denver is likely to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, but if Nix comes in and helps it perform expectations, he could be a sneaky OROY candidate.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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