The Denver Broncos were the last team in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft that selected a quarterback, and when Bo Nix's name was called, the criticism poured in from a ton of different directions. Many had said that Nix was simply not good enough to be taken in Round 1 and was a low-ceiling player who would soon hit his max in the NFL.
And after the first two regular season games of his career, it did seem like those people were right, but there is much more to a quarterback than his first two games in the league. Since those games, Nix has gone 24-8 as a starter and helped his team within a game of the Super Bowl in 2025.
Of all the passers that got taken in Round 1, you could argue that Nix has had the best career thus far, and some news on Tuesday continues to firm that the Broncos dodged a major bullet with J.J. McCarthy.
Denver Broncos continue to avoid disaster as Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy get further into their careers
Not that this is a surprise, but the Minnesota Vikings officially named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback for the 2026 season:
ESPN sources: the Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starting QB. pic.twitter.com/VBE4azfGoF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2026
The Vikings had actually traded up in the NFL Draft to ensure they were able to land McCarthy, and that allowed Nix to fall right into their laps with the 12th pick. McCarthy was the 10th pick in the draft and has thrown just 11 touchdown passes.
Now a backup, McCarthy's career with the Vikings could soon end if you ask me. In year three, he's not been able to earn that starting job, so you almost wonder if a fresh start is needed for both sides. It'd be quite the awkward breakup and is a massive failure overall, but this is what happens in the NFL sometimes.
The Broncos clearly knew what they were doing by preferring Nix over McCarthy, as Denver could legitimately win it all this year, and as of now, McCarthy does not have an obvious path to get on the field.
And this entire situation with the 2024 QB class also proves just how hard it is to find and develop a QB in this league, as there is no such thing as a perfect player, as even Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, the two who are perceived as the best of this class, have red flags that have not yet gotten fixed.
While Nix may not possess the most raw talent of this group, he could not be a better fit for the Broncos. And with a strong year in 2026, Nix would likely ink a long-term deal with the team. As for McCarthy, it's quite hard to see how he's even on the Vikings beyond 2026.
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