The Lead

Peyton Manning knows what it takes to succeed as a quarterback in Denver. And as the Pro Football Hall of Famer sees it, quarterback Bo Nix is on the right track heading into his second NFL season.

"Bo is made of the right stuff," Manning told The Denver Post. "He's a little bit older, carries himself the right way. And all of it should help as he moves forward in his career. I am just happy that Bo is the established starter. For a number of years, they had quarterback competitions. That's hard on the receivers, the coaches, the play-caller, and the quarterback. Now, they've got their guy."

After a strong rookie campaign, Nix enters Year 2 paired with a returning play-caller in Head Coach Sean Payton. The duo brings about a new sense of stability in Denver.

"The continuity, more than anything else," Manning said. "There are times when guys go into their second year, and they are going on their third coordinator. … He has an experienced head coach in Sean, who is his play-caller. Having that same voice and verbiage is so critical. We expect Sean to be here for a long time, so Bo will use that to his advantage.

"… When you look around the league at guys who play well, they often have the same coordinator. It is not automatic, but it makes a difference."

That difference is why Manning isn't too worried about the so-called "sophomore slump."

"I just don't see that as being a big factor for him," Manning said. "Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to struggle, and then the game slows down. But it sure looked like it slowed down a lot for him last year. Like with C.J. Stroud, Bo didn't play like a rookie. … I believe experience is the best teacher, and he got great experience last year."

With more weapons around him, a trusted head coach in Sean Payton and the full support of Broncos Country, Manning believes Nix is set to embrace the challenge for his sophomore showing.

"I signed in Denver as a free agent after playing for 14 years," Manning said. "Being drafted here, that's an even different kind of pressure. I was certainly aware of the responsibility that comes with it, and I believe Bo is as well. It is important. People care so much, and you feel that. That's the kind of environment you want, where they talk about your team during the season, free agency and the draft. It's an unbelievable place to play. I believe Bo understands it and embraces it. I only see him getting better."