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Denver Broncos Quarterback Bo Nix Making Offensive Rookie of the Year Case

Former Oregon Ducks and current Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is rising up the leaderboards for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. Can he beat Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and join Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert as the only Ducks to win the award?

Charlie Viehl

Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) reacts after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) reacts after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The race for the NFL's AP Offensive Rookie of the Year is seemingly down to two quarterbacks: former Oregon Ducks and current Denver Broncos' Bo Nix is closing the gap between himself and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Nix has the second-best betting odds to win the award while Daniels remains the favorite, according to a majority of the major sportsbooks. However, the former Oregon Duck has put together an impressive string of performances in his rookie season.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) reacts after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) reacts after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

According to CBS Sports, only five quarterbacks have scored 20 or more total touchdowns with only two turnovers within a 10-game span: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Bo Nix.

It is rarified air for the rookie out of Oregon, and he has only progressed in his development as the season continues. Additionally, Nix is the only quarterback to accomplish such a feat in the last four years since Mahomes.

Currently, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is the only Oregon Duck to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year when he won the award after the 2020 season. Herbert set the rookie record for touchdown passes with 31. The former Oregon Duck finished his rookie season with 396 completions and 4,336 passing yards.

Through 12 games, Nix has thrown the most touchdown passes of all rookie quarterbacks with 16, good enough for a Denver Broncos franchise rookie record. The Denver quarterback also leads all rookies with 21 total touchdowns.

While individual statistics obviously impact the Offensive Rookie of the Year voters, so does team success. The Broncos currently hold the third and final wildcard spot in the AFC with a 7-5 record. Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have a tight grip on the division race in the AFC West, but the Broncos have a 1.5-game lead over the Miami Dolphins for the last playoff spot.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28)
Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. / Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The Commanders find themselves in the same position in the NFC, holding the final playoff spot with a 7-5 record. However, While Nix and the Broncos are trending upwards, Washington has lost three consecutive games to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys.

With plenty of regular season remaining, both Nix and Daniels will have plenty of opportunities to continue making their case as the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

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Charlie Viehl
CHARLIE VIEHL

Charlie Viehl is a 23-year old Boston College graduate and is an Oregon Ducks and USC Trojans beat reporter for On SI. A native of Pasadena, California, he covered sports across Los Angeles while at Loyola High School and edited the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program’s magazine at BC. While pursuing a career in sports journalism, he is also a lifelong musician. He is excited to bring his passion for storytelling and sports to fans of college athletics.

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