Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed off his mobility in the team’s 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.
Nix improvised when he needed to, scrambling to pick up yards, and he also made the most of designed runs, finishing the day with nine carries for 47 yards and a touchdown. His 22-yard run in the third quarter after escaping a near-sack went viral on social media.
That kind of mobility can cause nightmares for defenses.
“I’ve always used the escapability and used my skill set to my advantage,” Nix said this week. “When you’re younger, you can kind of play with it and see what you can get away with and all that kind of stuff. At times, it can also get you in trouble because you miss a few reads and you get to scrambling or escaping too soon.
“I feel like the right timing — there’s always a progression, and then you just feel it and it’s time to go. Sometimes you do it right and sometimes you’re like, ‘Man, I wish I had gotten out sooner,’ or, ‘I wish I would’ve hung on that route a little bit longer.’ When it works right and you’re doing it well, it’s good to see and it’s efficient for the offense.”
It’s only a three-game sample size, but Nix is currently on pace for the second-best rushing season by a quarterback in franchise history (only behind Tim Tebow). Nix has 18 carries for 107 yards so far this year.
“I think anytime your quarterback is a threat with his legs it’s an added element the defense has to account for,” offensive coordinator Joe Lomabardi said. “I don’t think we had more of those in this gameplan. They just kind of got called at a time where the run presented itself where he kept it off his reads. I think it’s something that’s always been in the plans.
“Some games they force you to go get it; some games they give you opportunity to pull him to get some yards. He’s an athletic guy. I think we’re always aware that whether it’s on design runs, read runs, or scrambling off a pass, it definitely gives the defense something more to worry about.”
The rookie quarterback will look to continue making plays with his legs when the Broncos face the New York Jets in Week 4.
