Oregon Ducks Tez Johnson's insight into brother, Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix

In a short week of preparation, former Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix will lead the Denver Broncos (3-3) against the New Orleans Saints (2-4) on Thursday Night Football. Nix and the Broncos have a chance to win their third straight road game and find positive momentum after being beaten by AFC West Division opponent the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The prime-time game marks Denver coach Sean Payton's first return to New Orleans, the city where he coached for 16 years and helped rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

No doubt emotions will be high in Caesars Superdome and there will be plenty of distractions…Denver will lean on rookie Nix to keep the team focused. A responsibility that Nix's brother, Oregon Ducks receiver Tez Johnson, is certainly up to. Johnson isn't surprised that Nix has quickly adjusted to the NFL.

“He loves Denver. It’s the same (as when he arrived),” Johnson told Oregon Ducks reporter Bri Amaranthus. “When I call him and ask him how he's doing, he enjoys it… He's the same guy who just wants to get better. He plays with a former receiver teammate, Troy Franklin. You can't ask for anything better than that.”

Franklin caught his first NFL touchdown pass from Nix in Denver's loss to the Chargers.

“When I look at (Nix), I see Max Crosby or TJ Watt out there, and when he's sitting on the field, I pray he doesn't get hit by those guys,” Johnson told Amaranthus. “In the meantime, he’s asking himself the question: How can he beat these guys?”

Nix has suffered some serious setbacks this season, with some “welcome to the NFL” moments. However, Nix's ability to avoid sacks was also impressive.

In Oregon, Nix was buttoned-up and always appeared confident. When Nix and coach Payton were seen on TV in a heated exchange against the Las Vegas Raiders, many Oregon fans were quite surprised.

Johnson wasn't, as he knows Nix's fiery side all too well.

“He’s just passionate – passionate about the game, passionate about scoring a goal every time you go on offense,” Johnson told Amaranthus. “I haven’t really seen the piece before (incidental exchange). But obviously it's probably a piece that didn't work. And he was so passionate that he wanted to finish.”

“That’s how passionate he is about the game of football and about being better and competing,” Johnson continued. “He competes at a high level. Everything he does is at a high level. He competes. He wants to be the first in everything. He is not satisfied with anything. If he sets his mind to something, he will do it.” No matter what happens. It's incredible.

When asked about the heated exchange after the game, Nix joked that it was actually just him and Payton telling each other, “I love you.”

“…And I'm pretty sure that's exactly what was said. “I’m sure that’s exactly what he said,” Johnson laughed.

Coach Payton “loved” his rookie quarterback’s demeanor.

“Absolutely. Absolutely,” Payton said when asked if he enjoyed Nix's animated sideline. “All good. All good. It's the heat of the moment, it's the game. It's competitive, he's fiery . We are passionate about business.”

Payton, Nix and the Broncos are also looking to get back in the win column in New Orleans. Nix has the potential for a breakout game against the Saints, who had a historically poor defensive performance in their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay scored 51 points on Sunday, the most given up by a Saints team since 2012.

In six games this season, Nix has completed 121 of 198 pass attempts (61.1 percent) for 1,082 yards and five touchdowns with five interceptions. Nix added 180 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.

Nix certainly has the support of his family, as Johnson traveled to Seattle to watch Nix make his first NFL start against the Seahawks at boisterous Lumen Field.

“It was electric. The Seahawks’ fans are electric,” Johnson told Amaranthus. “It reminded me of the game when we were there (to play the Washington Huskies in 2023). They have some really good fans.”

Johnson and many Oregon fans will be cheering on Nix on Thursday night when he takes on the Saints at 5:15 p.m. PT.