Jake Plummer knows a good Denver Broncos team when he sees one.
The former Broncos quarterback once upon a time led Denver to the AFC Championship Game during the 2005 season, clinching a Pro Bowl bid and leading the Broncos to a 13-3 record. It was the third consecutive season that Plummer led the Broncos to the playoffs with the veteran quarterback going 39-15 during his four years as Denver’s starting quarterback.
Fast forward to now and the Broncos have another winning quarterback in their hands, this time in a homegrown product in Bo Nix. Denver selected Nix with a first-round draft pick during the 2024 NFL Draft and Nix immediately had success, leading the Broncos to a playoff appearance in 2024 — their first in nine years — while leading them to the AFC Championship Game last season.
Nix suffered a fractured right ankle during the team’s divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills, preventing him from playing in the AFC Title Game. Had it not been for the injury, Nix very well could have led the Broncos to a Super Bowl win.
The Broncos are considered one of the top teams in the NFL and they’ll have high expectations entering this season. Plummer took the time to sit down for a one-on-one interview with CanadaSportsBetting to give his thoughts on Nix and the current Broncos.
Q: The current Broncos, they’re looking pretty good. Number one seed last year, AFC Championship game appearance. What are your early thoughts on the Broncos so far from what you’ve seen in training camp?
Plummer: I haven’t seen a lot in training camp. Just watched maybe one or two practices, but I like what they did in the off season. There’s been changes not only on the team, but even just in the organization with the new facility, and people will say, “Wow, look at this facility.” But the players, when something like that happens, it really reflects on how important we are to this organization.
Even the former players, they bring us back a lot. They’ve created spaces for us in this new building to come be a part of it, and so I think as a player you’re getting to feel appreciated and supported in all sorts of ways that other organizations may try, but maybe don’t have the ability to pull it off. But this one definitely is, and so I think the players are appreciating that the high level of care they’re receiving and this building being built and and really tailored to what they need and then obviously the work needs to get done once that happens, it’s great to have all that flashy nice new stuff.
But the work’s being done on the field and obviously questions around Bo’s health I think we see that his foot is going to be fine if he hurts it again. I mean it’s football. You’re going to hurt yourself playing this game, and hopefully he stays healthy and can finish the season out. Because what I’ve seen is a competitor with a lot of passion, great leadership with the players on this team really turn to in times that they need that solid belief that hey, no matter where we’re at, no matter what the score, we got a chance, and that’s contagious. It’s exciting to watch him going into his third year without being able to do full reps and working out because he was obviously rehabbing his foot.
Hopefully, he’s taken the time to get with Davis Webb, learn this offense, and work on anticipation and working the pocket a little better with his eyes, and then the other part of his game that you can’t coach is what he does. It’s so special turning a bad play into a good one.
So it’ll be fun to watch. A lot of the leaders are back. A lot of the solid tone setters are here still on the team, along with some new additions, free agent wise with the receiver (Jaylen) Waddle, and then obviously the new running back (Jonah) Coleman and some of the draft picks that are showing that they they want to come make a difference. It’ll be fun to watch. They got a tough season schedule, but it’s the NFL. Every game’s hard, so going to be fun to see how they do this year.
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Q: It sounds like you’re really impressed by Bo. He is an impressive quarterback. What impresses me about him is if he makes a mistake, the next drive he’s not even thinking about it. It’s like it never happened. You have to have a short memory, obviously, as a quarterback. Who does he remind you of? Because when I watch him, it’s a little bit like Brett Favre reminds me in that regard. Who does he remind you of?
Plummer: The first person that comes to my mind is Steve Young a little bit. I mean a really solid human first and foremost. Number one, the kid just has it. He’s a great kid, great person, great human. Treats people right. Has a strong faith, but then on the field he can make the quick throws. He’s very accurate. He’s got a hell of an arm. He’s got a really strong arm. I don’t think people appreciate his arm strength as much as I have in these last few years, seeing him rope that ball to certain guys at certain times.
And then it’s his ability outside of the pocket and his decision making, once he’s out there, that’s why I say Steve Young because he’s a runner, man. He loves to get out and make plays with his legs, and that’s something you really can’t coach. Those things happen. You can’t coach a pocket breaking down and telling him, “Okay, you’re going to exit the pocket on where the C gap is.” Like no, you’re just running and trying to survive and make a play when that stuff happens, and he’s really excelled that way in his first two years.
Comparisons are not fair for anybody, but Bo is really an older rookie when he came into the league, and he showed that poise and he showed that ability to really work on his craft and want to get better and to lead this team, and also to step up for himself. I’ve seen him have words with Coach Payton on the sideline, and I love seeing that because as a teammate of someone that stands up for themselves and doesn’t have any worry or trepidation about calling the coach out and telling him what he wants, then that shows well for his leadership with this team and inside that locker room.
Q: You’re very high on Bo. What’s your relationship like with Bo, and what is the best advice that you’ve given him?
Plummer: I’ve only gotten to interact with him a couple times being down here and around, they’re busy, you know, and I don’t try to interfere with what these guys are doing. I’m a player of the past. I’m always here for anything they would need, of course. But moving forward for Bo, he’s just got to keep being himself, and I think now people’s eyeballs are starting to turn, and look at him, and in two years I think he’s the most winningest quarterback out of that draft class, and minus a random wild foot injury, very well could be a Super Bowl champion.
He’s got what it takes. It’s just staying consistent and believing in your teammates, not getting too far ahead of yourself and believing all the hype. Stay off of those pedestals people want to build for you, and stay one with your first on the locker room, and then the people working in this building and your community. I think he’s doing that. I don’t know him that well, but I believe he’s doing that, and if he keeps that human side to himself, then he’ll continue to excel as the Bo Nix superstar that we’re trying to turn him into.
Q: Jake, like you mentioned, they were maybe one injury away from winning a Super Bowl. In your opinion, where do they rank in the AFC hierarchy? Are they up there?
Plummer: I think they’re right up there. We know who those guys are, and I think this team is battle tested, and they’re led by some really great coaches, really really good coaches, not only offensively, but defensively too. Looking forward to seeing them compete and be right in the thick of all the talks. Obviously, the season has yet to play out, and we don’t know what’s going to happen. But I know that they’re going to be in the thick of every game they play. They’re going to be right there and competing hard till the end.
Q: Who’s a quarterback today that reminds you most of you, “Jake the Snake,” and who’s the best quarterback in the NFL right now, in your opinion?
Plummer: Boy, oh boy, I don’t know who reminds me of me. I don’t think there’s so many great quarterbacks out there running around doing great things. I really love watching Caleb Williams play with Chicago. That kid has something special about him, and I see across the league styles of play are really hard to match.
I don’t think there’s a way to match that, but the way that their teams respond to their leadership and the type of person they are, I feel that through the TV screen, you can see it just how they act and interact with their quarterback and those games they pull out when they snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat. Those guys I like to pay attention to, and I’ve been really impressed with many of the quarterbacks. Of course, I love Josh Allen’s game. I really enjoy have enjoyed watching Jalen Hurts, a guy who still probably is being doubted that he can win it, and he’s a Super Bowl champ, and he just keeps showing up, and a lot of really awesome, fun quarterbacks to watch.
The game definitely has evolved. There’s pocket passers are a few, but more of these guys are superb athletes, and probably the most fun one to watch, Lamar Jackson. I think I have a feeling we’re going to be chasing Baltimore. Everybody’s going to be chasing Baltimore this year because he didn’t have a great year last year, and I feel he’s going to come out and and just continue to baffle us with the things he does with the ball in his hands.
