The teammates of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix are on high alert every time he extends a play outside of the pocket.  

Nix, entering a Sunday road game at the Eagles, is tied for third among active NFL QBs with 25 rushing attempts. The vast majority, however, were not designed runs. Nix is well equipped to avoid sacks and bolt downfield. 

“You better turn and find a dang block. Because that dude can run, and we’ve always known it man, ever since he first got here,” tight end Lucas Krull told The Denver Gazette about Nix. “We were doing compete stuff and workouts. We’re getting timed or we’re getting our GPS numbers and our miles per hour – and he’s always the top dog. We’re like: Man, that’s going to translate. … He’s not a slug back there with the ball. It’s a guy that can make anything happen with his feet. So, when you’re down the field, and he tucks that thing to scramble and run, we immediately know to turn and find a blocker.” 

Nix flashed a big run in every game this season.  

He scrambled for 11 yards against Tennessee and broke multiple tackles to salvage a second-and-long play. Nix dropped back against the Colts, noticed the middle of the field wide open, and took advantage with an 18-yard scamper to convert a first down. He did the same thing a week later against the Chargers for a 12-yard gain.  

On Monday night, in a 28-3 win over the Bengals, Nix found the end zone on an improvised 6-yard run.

It’s no coincidence that Nix is tied as the least-sacked NFL quarterback (three) among QBs who started every game this season. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi called sacks “a quarterback stat more than an offensive line stat” a year ago. Nix has a reputation of avoiding them. That dates back to his college football days at Oregon. 

Nix explained after practice Thursday at Broncos Park how he does it. 

“I think we all do a good job,” Nix said. “They do a good job of not letting guys run free. Then we do a good job in protection. We do a good job of (identifying) guys, making sure that we’ve got the right guys blocked. Then at the end of the day — if something does happen (and) things break down — it’s my job to make those guys miss and not have sacks. I think sacks kill drives. Sacks, statistically, when you get one on a drive, your percentage of scoring goes drastically down. It’s something that’s always been important for me.  

“It’s kind of like a turnover. I hate sacks, hate turnovers, and so keeping us away from those is giving us the best chance.” 

The Broncos’ offensive line is doing its part, too. Nix has faced the second-lowest quarterback pressure rate (21.9%) in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats, after four games played. 

Nix is primarily a passer among dual-threat NFL quarterbacks. His 78 rushing yards rank No. 15 in the league entering Week 5. But the small gains to avoid big losses are just as important. Even if teammates would like to see Nix use his legs even more.

“I think Bo is a good runner. Especially when he breaks the pocket and makes plays,” inside linebacker Justin Strnad told The Denver Gazette. “Sometimes, I watch the game and I’m almost telling him: ‘Yo! Take off! Run!’ Because it seems like every time he does, it’s a pretty good play for our offense. He’s a fast guy. Athletic. He’s got a good arm. The sky is the limit for him.”