ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In the moments after being selected with the 12th-overall pick, the Broncos' newest quarterback looked ahead to what would come next.
And in Bo Nix's mind, there was no doubt that his journey in Denver will begin with dedication and hard work.
"It means a lot," Nix said of being drafted. "I can't thank them enough for taking me, and for putting their belief in me. There's a lot in the future that's going to need to be done — a lot of work to be done, a lot of growing and a lot of getting better. I just appreciate the value that they [saw] in me."
Asked whether he's had conversations with Head Coach Sean Payton or General Manager George Paton about how quickly he'll be able to contribute in Denver, the 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist pointed to the work that must be done to earn his role.
"I know everybody has to compete," Nix said. "I know everyone has to go to work. We haven't had any conversations thus far, just draft prep and obviously the recent draft pick [call]. Other than that, I just can't wait to get around the locker room, can't wait to get around the guys, meeting my new teammates, meeting new coaches and get to work."
Nix was the sixth quarterback off the board on Thursday, as the 2024 NFL Draft set a record for the most quarterbacks selected in the first 12 picks. Not since the 1983 NFL Draft have six quarterbacks been selected in the first round.
"I wasn't shocked," Nix said. "I think the six of us are all very capable of playing at the next level. It's going to be fun to watch everybody and see how they develop. I wasn't shocked at all because I think this class of quarterbacks is very strong."
The Broncos, though, had clear interest in Nix. The 2023 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year said a Denver contingent visited Eugene, Oregon for a private workout, and he said he saw the start of "a great relationship" and that he "was just very honored to have them around."
Nix, though, wasn't sure where he would begin his professional career until Thursday night.
"To be honest with you, you never know until you get the phone call and you hear your name called on TV," Nix said. "Again, I just can't say how excited I am to be a part of this organization."
Nix said he "talked a lot of football" with Payton during the pre-draft process and believes he'll be a good fit within the Broncos' offensive scheme.
"I think when you look at their offense, when you look at the scheme, [there are] a lot of really fun concepts that I've run in the past, a lot of fun things that I've been able to do and have success in," Nix said. "We were able to just talk over those and communicate those. I believe just talking football is one of the best things you can do in the process, and that's what we did a lot of."
The process culminated Thursday, as Nix became the fifth quarterback the Broncos have drafted in the first round in the history of the franchise.
"I was just very excited, almost speechless when I got that call," Nix said. "[I'm] just very excited [and] very happy to be a Bronco."
