How old is Bo Nix? Broncos QB joins Brandon Weeden on list of oldest NFL rookie quarterbacks to start Week 1

2024-09-09
4 min read
(USA Today)

Broncos head coach Sean Payton named Bo Nix the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Seahawks.

Denver selected Nix with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Oregon. The rookie competed with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson for the job and beat out both quarterbacks to earn the starting role.

Nix had a long journey to the league, playing five seasons of college football before entering the draft to make him one of the oldest starting rookie quarterbacks in NFL history.

He spent his first three seasons as a starter at Auburn from 2019-21 before taking his talents to Oregon in the transfer portal. He hit another gear with the Ducks, tallying 8,101 passing yards and 74 touchdowns over his final two seasons.

As a super senior, Nix threw for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns to just three interceptions, earning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and solidifying his place as an NFL prospect in the process.

Now, he'll be the first rookie quarterback to start Week 1 for the Broncos since John Elway.

How old is Nix and where does he stack up against the oldest rookie quarterbacks to start an NFL season opener? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.

How old is Bo Nix?

Born on Feb. 25, 2000, Nix is 24 years old.

He will be 24 years and 195 days old during his Week 1 NFL debut, making him the fifth-oldest rookie quarterback to start a season opener in league history.

Oldest rookie quarterbacks to start Week 1

Chris Weinke is the oldest Week 1 rookie starting quarterback in NFL history, making his debut as a 29-year-old for the Panthers in 2001.

Weinke put his football career on hold after he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990. He was a 25-year-old freshman by the time he started for Florida State in 1997. After a four-year, Heisman Trophy-winning college career, Weinke was a 29-year-old NFL rookie.

Nix will be the oldest Week 1 rookie starting quarterback since Brandon Weeden in 2012, who was a similar story to Weinke, pursuing a professional baseball career before he played college football.

You can find the oldest Week 1 rookie starting quarterbacks in NFL history below, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Player Team Age Year Result
Chris Weinke Carolina Panthers 29 years, 40 days 2001 W, 24-13 vs. MIN
Brandon Weeden Cleveland Browns 28 years, 331 days 2012 L, 17-16 vs. PHI
Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys 27 years, 228 days 1969 W, 24-3 vs. STL
Ray Nagel Chicago Cardinals 26 years,132 days 1953 L, 24-13 vs. WAS
Bo Nix Denver Broncos 24 years, 195 days 2024
Ryan Tannehill Miami Dolphins 24 years, 44 days 2012 L, 30-10 vs. HOU