Rookie Bo Nix throws 2 interceptions and growing pains continue as Broncos fall to Steelers 13-6

Published Sep. 15, 2024 9:45 p.m. ET

Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Bo Nix soon followed a long completion on a trick play with an interception in the back of the end zone.

All part of the growing pains for the Denver Broncos rookie quarterback who managed just two field goal drives in a 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Nix threw two interceptions, was sacked twice and struggled on third downs as the team converted just two of 12.

His confidence, though, remains far from rattled.

“You play (football) long enough, it’ll fail you over and over and over," said Nix, the 12th overall pick in April. “It will knock you down. It will beat you up. The value of playing the sport is it’s just like life. Sometimes you've just got to keep taking hits and keep taking hits, and then eventually you’ll figure it out and get back on your feet and move forward.”

The performance of Nix and the Broncos (0-2) played out with Russell Wilson watching on the other sideline — in uniform but relegated to emergency QB status because of a strained calf.

Wilson's two-year stint in Denver ended with him on the bench. The Broncos released him in March and he signed with Pittsburgh for the veteran’s minimum ($1.21 million).

With Wilson sidelined, Justin Fields guided the Steelers to a second straight win by being efficient — and not making any costly mistakes.

Nix is still searching for his first NFL TD pass after he had a rushing score last weekend at Seattle. He now has four interceptions through two games after his late throw at the end of the game was picked off by Pittsburgh's Damontae Kazee. The NFL record for most interceptions by a rookie quarterback in a season is 28 by Peyton Manning in 1998 while with Indianapolis.

Broncos coach Sean Payton believes Nix has the right makeup to weather the early bumps.

"Listen, this guy’s been through it," Payton said of the 24-year-old Nix. "It would be different if he hadn’t.”

One of the pivotal plays in the game came in the third quarter with Denver trailing 10-0. The Broncos dialed up a trick play as Javonte Williams took a direct snap, handed it off to Courtland Sutton who proceeded to pitch it to Nix. With the defense closing in, Nix lofted a pass to Josh Reynolds for a 49-yard gain to the Pittsburgh 7-yard line.

Two plays later, though, Nix looked for Sutton in the end zone and instead threw a pass straight to Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr.

“That falls on me,” Nix said. “Can’t have that.”

Asked later to delve into the play in more detail, Nix simply responded: “Dropped back and threw it to the other team.”

Last weekend in a loss to 26-20 loss in Seattle, Nix finished 26 of 42 for 138 yards and two interceptions. He was 20 of 35 for 246 yards against Pittsburgh.

Going forward, Nix doesn't want the offensive schemes scaled back.

“If you’re too simple, then they’ll just pick you apart,” Nix said. “So there’s just a fine line. I felt good with the plan going in. I think we've just got to execute the plays better.”

He believes he made strides in his second NFL game.

“Sometimes good steps don’t turn into wins, though," Nix said. "It’s a long process. It’s a tough league for a reason and we just have to continue as a crew, as a group, find ways to get better and build.”

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