‘He deserved it’ – Fans stunned to learn rookie QB beat out Patrick Mahomes in NFL popularity vote
Patrick Mahomes has created a dynasty with the Kansas City Chiefs. But even if Mahomes makes NFL history by becoming the first quarterback to win three consecutive Super Bowls, he still won’t be as popular during the 2024 season as a rookie QB. GettyBo Nix has been a big hit with Broncos fans[/caption] Fans were stunned to learn that a mid first-round pick beat out Mahomes in the popular Pro Bowl voting. Even more stunning was the fact that a QB with a 9-7 record also trumped the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Jalen Hurts and the Minnesota Vikings‘ Sam Darnold in fan voting. Bo Nix has a long way to go to become a true franchise QB for the Denver Broncos, who enter Week 18 still trying to make the playoffs. But Nix has become instantly popular with Broncos fans, and the rookie from Oregon and Auburn beat Mahomes, Darnold and Hurts in the fan vote. “I may have gone a little crazy with my voting for him,” one fan tweeted. “He deserved it, for a rook, for sure!” a second fan posted. “No way!” a third fan wrote. “You’re s******* me! That’s great! Fly the banner.” “It’s cool to see Nix in there,” a fourth fan wrote. “But holy s*** Sam Darnold not being in the top 5 is absolutely criminal lol.” Nix has completed 65.1 percent of his passes this season for 3,454 yards, 25 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and an 89.2 rating. Darnold is a serious MVP candidate, while Hurts has led the Eagles to a 13-3 record. GettyPatrick Mahomes barely made the QB top 10 for Pro Bowl fan voting[/caption] GettyNix has brought energy and confidence back to Denver[/caption] GettySean Payton targeted Nix in the NFL draft[/caption] But even with the Chiefs an NFL-best 15-1 heading into the final week of the season, Nix has been exactly what Broncos fans and Denver head coach Sean Payton were looking for. “Sean Payton wants Drew Brees,” Denver Post columnist Troy Renck exclusively told talkSPORT. “He wants a quarterback that plays on time and on target, and that’s what he sees in Bo Nix.” The gutsy and fiery Nix has been a rookie revelation for the Broncos, paying off on Payton’s risky draft-day gamble and rivaling Washington’s Jayden Daniels as the leading candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. “His teammates will tell you the secret sauce with Bo Nix is discipline, both in a game and outside,” Renck said. “He’s able to blend humility with confidence. He’s not overstepping his role. “This is a team with a lot of older guys on offense … so he only talks when he needs to. He doesn’t overcoach and guys love that about him. “He just waits and then every once in a while, he jumps in.” And he’s so popular in Denver that he’s more popular than Mahomes among NFL fans. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.talkSPORT will bring you live coverage across Week 18 with a double header featuring the Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes has created a dynasty with the Kansas City Chiefs.
But even if Mahomes makes NFL history by becoming the first quarterback to win three consecutive Super Bowls, he still won’t be as popular during the 2024 season as a rookie QB.
Fans were stunned to learn that a mid first-round pick beat out Mahomes in the popular Pro Bowl voting.
Even more stunning was the fact that a QB with a 9-7 record also trumped the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Jalen Hurts and the Minnesota Vikings‘ Sam Darnold in fan voting.
Bo Nix has a long way to go to become a true franchise QB for the Denver Broncos, who enter Week 18 still trying to make the playoffs.
But Nix has become instantly popular with Broncos fans, and the rookie from Oregon and Auburn beat Mahomes, Darnold and Hurts in the fan vote.
“I may have gone a little crazy with my voting for him,” one fan tweeted.
“He deserved it, for a rook, for sure!” a second fan posted.
“No way!” a third fan wrote. “You’re s******* me! That’s great! Fly the banner.”
“It’s cool to see Nix in there,” a fourth fan wrote. “But holy s*** Sam Darnold not being in the top 5 is absolutely criminal lol.”
Nix has completed 65.1 percent of his passes this season for 3,454 yards, 25 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and an 89.2 rating.
Darnold is a serious MVP candidate, while Hurts has led the Eagles to a 13-3 record.
But even with the Chiefs an NFL-best 15-1 heading into the final week of the season, Nix has been exactly what Broncos fans and Denver head coach Sean Payton were looking for.
“Sean Payton wants Drew Brees,” Denver Post columnist Troy Renck exclusively told talkSPORT.
“He wants a quarterback that plays on time and on target, and that’s what he sees in Bo Nix.”
The gutsy and fiery Nix has been a rookie revelation for the Broncos, paying off on Payton’s risky draft-day gamble and rivaling Washington’s Jayden Daniels as the leading candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“His teammates will tell you the secret sauce with Bo Nix is discipline, both in a game and outside,” Renck said.
“He’s able to blend humility with confidence. He’s not overstepping his role.
“This is a team with a lot of older guys on offense … so he only talks when he needs to. He doesn’t overcoach and guys love that about him.
“He just waits and then every once in a while, he jumps in.”
And he’s so popular in Denver that he’s more popular than Mahomes among NFL fans.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.
talkSPORT will bring you live coverage across Week 18 with a double header featuring the Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions.
