2024 season
Nix was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round (12th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. He initially drew the interest of head coach Sean Payton due to his high completion rate and low negative play differential in college, in addition to an impressive performance in private workouts. Nix was the last of six quarterbacks taken in the first round, tied with the 1983 draft for the most in NFL history. On May 11, 2024, he signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $18.6 million fully guaranteed.
On August 22, Nix was named the Broncos' starting quarterback for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the first Broncos rookie to start since John Elway in 1983. In his NFL debut against Seattle, Nix completed 26 of 42 passes for 138 yards, two interceptions, and a rushing touchdown during a 26–20 loss. His 138 passing yards set an NFL record for the fewest by a quarterback with 25 or more completions in a game. Nix earned his first win in week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for 216 yards, a rushing touchdown, and no interceptions in a 26–7 victory. In week 4, he recorded his first career passing touchdown and led the Broncos to a 10–9 upset victory over the New York Jets despite ending the first half with negative passing yards and finishing the game with only 60 total passing yards. Additionally, Nix did not allow a turnover or sack for the second consecutive game.
Nix had a standout October, beginning with a three-touchdown performance in a week 5 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by 216 passing yards and two touchdowns in week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In week 7, he led the Broncos to a dominant 33–10 win over the New Orleans Saints, tying the franchise record for rookie quarterback wins. He capped the month with 284 passing yards, four total touchdowns, and a 75.7% completion rate in week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, setting a new franchise record with five wins as a rookie. His performances throughout October earned him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors.
In Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, Nix caught his first career receiving touchdown on a trick play from receiver Courtland Sutton. Nix was named NFL Rookie of the Week in week 10 after throwing for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and orchestrating a late drive that ended with a potential game-winning field goal being blocked in a 16–14 loss to the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The following week against the Atlanta Falcons, Nix went 28-of-33 for a career-high 307 yards and four touchdowns as the Broncos won 38–6. He became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to complete over 80% of his passes while throwing for at least four touchdowns and 300 yards. Following the game, he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week. Nix led the Broncos to victories in their next three games to reach 9–5, but losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Needing a win in the final game of the regular season, Nix went 26-of-29 with a then career high 321 yards and four touchdowns in a 38–0 victory over the Chiefs to clinch the Broncos' first playoff berth since 2015. Nix finished the regular season with 29 total passing touchdowns, the second-most ever by a rookie quarterback.
In the Wild Card round, Nix was held in check, finishing 13-for-22 with 144 yards passing and one touchdown with 43 rushing yards as the Broncos fell 31–7 to the Buffalo Bills. Nix's sole touchdown, a 43-yard pass to Troy Franklin, was the first rookie-to-rookie touchdown pass in NFL playoff history. Following the Broncos' elimination, Nix revealed that he had played with transverse process fractures in his back since Week 12.
Nix was originally the fourth alternate AFC quarterback in the Pro Bowl, but was invited to play due to opt-outs. However, due to a previously scheduled minor postseason cleanup procedure, he also had to decline.
Nix was a finalist for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, placing third behind Jayden Daniels and Brock Bowers. He was voted the 64th-best player in the league in the Top 100 Players of 2025 by his NFL peers following his successful rookie campaign.
