He was a record-breaking quarterback at Oregon. A primary-round draft decide to an AFC West staff mired in mediocrity. He’s enjoying for a coach in his first 12 months with the franchise.
Bo Nix is aware of Justin Herbert’s path.
“He’s one of those guys you look up to playing at Oregon,” Nix, the Denver Broncos quarterback, instructed reporters Wednesday earlier than the previous Oregon Geese stars face one another in a vital AFC West recreation Sunday in Denver.
Earlier than turning into the Chargers’ No. 5 decide, Herbert capped off a adorned Oregon profession with a Pac-12 championship and Rose Bowl victory in 2019. The identical 12 months, Nix was the primary true freshman in Auburn historical past to start out a season-opener. He confronted Herbert’s Geese, throwing the game-winning landing with 9 seconds left.
Nix transferred to Oregon after three years at Auburn and performed with Herbert’s youthful brother Patrick, a good finish. In 2023, Nix was a Heisman finalist, threw for a school-record 4,508 yards in 2023 and set the single-season NCAA report for completion share at 77.4%.
The entire time, Herbert watched from afar.
“It was awesome to see their success at Oregon, and especially his,” Herbert stated of Nix. “So I got nothing but respect for him.”
With an off week to nurse his injured proper ankle, Herbert stated Wednesday he’s as wholesome as he’s been since he suffered the harm initially on Sept. 15. He performed with a brace towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs two weeks in the past and expects to maintain the safety going ahead, at the least by Sunday’s matchup that can characteristic two of the league’s finest defenses.
The Chargers (2-2) lead the league in factors allowed per recreation (12.5) with the Broncos tied for second at 14.6. The protection, led by cornerback Pat Surtain II, has buoyed the staff struggling to seek out its footing with a rookie quarterback.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert tries to interrupt free from a sack try by Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defensive finish Felix Anudike-Uzomah on Sept. 29 at SoFi Stadium.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Instances)
Nix has had an inconsistent begin for the reason that Broncos (3-2) took him twelfth general. His 102 completions by 5 video games are third-most for a rookie quarterback in franchise historical past. However he averages simply 5.3 yards per go try, which ranks thirtieth within the league. He had 4 passes intercepted within the first two video games, each losses.
However Nix has eradicated the turnovers previously three video games, turning into the primary Broncos rookie quarterback with a three-game profitable streak. Nix, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Chicago’s No. 1 general decide Caleb Williams have mixed for 10 wins, the second-most by rookie quarterbacks within the first 5 weeks of the season since 1970, trailing 12 wins in 1987.
Most of the league’s present rookies benefited from further years of faculty eligibility gained in the course of the pandemic, giving them further recreation expertise earlier than making the transition to the NFL. Nix is the NCAA chief in video games began for a quarterback at 61. Daniels, between Arizona State and Louisiana State, performed in 55 faculty video games earlier than the No. 2 general decide catapulted the Commanders to a 4-1 begin.
“Going through it and seeing all the defenses and the different coverages that teams can play against you, I think it’s only going to help,” stated Herbert, whose 42 begins at Oregon are a college report for a quarterback. “They’ve seen a lot of football, they’ve been through a lot of offenses, and you’re only going to get better with that.”
Nix is coming off the most effective recreation of his younger profession, finishing 70.4% of his passes (19-for-27) for 206 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions towards the Raiders. He additionally rushed for a landing, leaping over the pile and reaching the ball over the aim line for a one-yard rating.
Nix, whose 14 dashing touchdowns in 2022 had been the second-most for an Oregon quarterback in a single season, is already tied for the second-most dashing touchdowns by a Broncos rookie quarterback with three.
“He’s a lot more mobile than people give him credit for,” Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox stated. “You got to be able to pressure him, but pressure him smart.”
And so forth.
Offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (knee) participated in follow collectively for the primary time since they had been each injured on Sept. 22. They had been each listed as restricted contributors on the staff’s harm report. … RB Gus Edwards appeared on the harm report for the primary time this season with an ankle harm. He has missed two practices this week. … S Derwin James Jr. didn’t follow due to private causes. … OLB Joey Bosa (hip), defensive backs Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula), Deane Leonard (hamstring) and Kristian Fulton (knee) didn’t follow.
