If Bo Nix grows up fast in the NFL playoffs, he has a chance to be just like Russell Wilson.

Yep, I said it. Nix should aspire to be Wilson. Don’t get mad.

I know Broncos Country has adopted Nix as a favorite son and holds a forever grudge against Wilson.

But before spitting out your coffee in anger when I say there’s a whole lot of Wilson in Nix, consider this:

The Broncos would be lucky, not to mention the next Super Bowl champs, if Mr. Bo-lieve steals a page from Mr. Unlimited.

And I’m here to tell you that Nix resembles Wilson more than anyone in this dusty old cowtown would like to admit.

OK, to be clear, I’m not talking about the “Let’s Ride” Wilson that rode his relationship with Denver teammates, coach Sean Payton and Broncomaniacs into the ground during his lamentable stint as the team’s quarterback during the two seasons from 2022 to 2023 that we all would rather forget.

During his second NFL season, however, the situation that Nix finds himself in is eerily similar to what made Seahawks fans admire Wilson’s swagger way back in 2013.

Ignoring the doubters that cite how Denver constantly tempts fate with narrow victories, Nix has rallied teammates to within striking distance of the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC by feistily declaring: “We’re the overdogs.”

Entering a Week 18 showdown against the Chargers, Nix has already produced 23 victories in his first two pro seasons, which is more than all but one quarterback in NFL history.

Wilson led the Seahawks to 24 wins in 2012-13.

I asked Denver offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi on Thursday to identify the ingredients of Nix’s secret sauce and describe the ways this young QB has grown the most from his rookie campaign.

“For a quarterback, I think comfort level is always the thing you want to see,” Lombardi said. “As he gets more experience, a young quarterback feels more confident, calmer as he’s breaking the huddle, thinking less.”

And doing more, when the Broncos need Nix the most, under the duress of a tight game in the fourth quarter.

Hmm, does that sound like any other QB that we’ve seen take the league by storm at a tender, young age when most guys playing the toughest position in sports are taking their lumps?

Well, I’ve only been covering NFL games since 1983, but Nix gives me a sense of déjà vu.

Let’s do a blind comparison test.

Quarterback A: 25 passing TDs, 11 interceptions, 63.5 percent completion rate, 4,097 combined yards throwing and running in 16 regular-season games.

Quarterback B: 26 passing TDs, nine interceptions, 63.1 percent completion rate, 3,896 combined yards throwing and running in 16 regular-season games.

Quarterback A? Nix in 2025.

Quarterback B? Wilson in 2013.

What has especially impressed Lombardi about Nix is how he’s become more patient in the pocket, shown the precision to lead long, slow touchdown drives and displayed a competitive spirit that seems to ratchet up when faced with adversity.

After Denver beat Kansas City on Christmas, future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce sought out Nix at midfield. His high praise for the young quarterback was captured by a television camera.

“You’re a hell of a competitor, man,” Kelce told Nix. “I love playing against you every single time. Do your thing. Go get you one.”

One of the best reasons to believe Nix can get himself a ring sooner than anyone dreamed?

Wilson.

In his second year as a pro, Wilson was blessed with a dominant Seattle defense led by linebacker Bobby Wagner and hard-hitting, smack-talking “Legion of Boom” secondary.

As a quarterback, Wilson wasn’t pretty in the traditional sense. But he made plays with his feet, was unafraid to throw off-platform and refused to blink in the clutch.

With a 13-3 record, Seattle earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC, then won two playoff games at home to advance to the Super Bowl, where they talked like favorites despite being listed as 2-point underdogs.

And, as some of you might recall, on a Sunday in the swamplands of New Jersey, the Seahawks slimed Peyton Manning and the Broncos 43-8 in one of the most lopsided championship games the league has ever witnessed.

Seattle hoisted the Lombardi Trophy on the strength of a ferocious defense and a fearless young quarterback.

Sound like any team you know? 

The most reviled player in recent Broncos history is the template for the popular young quarterback that Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has compared to John Elway.

Can the Broncos win a championship with a feisty quarterback in his second season?

Well, the Seahawks did a dozen years ago.

From the day Nix became the starting quarterback in Denver as a rookie, teammate Mike McGlinchey insisted, “The moment isn’t too big for him. He’s ready for it, and ready to attack it.”

You love Nix.

And maybe you hate what Wilson did to Denver.

But the Broncos need this version of Mr. Overdog to play like the best version of Mr. Unlimited when the playoffs begin.

All Nix has to do now to be like Wilson?

Go get himself a ring.