He’s the guy. After years of the Denver Broncos spinning their wheels in a post-Peyton Manning vacuum, Bo Nix walked into Mile High and didn’t just take the starting job—he took the identity of the franchise. But for fans buying the gear, there was one immediate question. What about the Bo Nix jersey number?
Choosing a number in the NFL isn't just about aesthetics. It’s branding. It’s superstition. Sometimes, it’s a million-dollar negotiation with a veteran teammate who doesn't want to give up their digits. For Nix, the choice was actually pretty simple, yet it carries the weight of a legacy that spans from the SEC to the Pacific Northwest and now to the Rocky Mountains.
He wears 10.
It’s the number he’s synonymous with. If you saw him carving up defenses at Oregon or taking hits at Auburn, you saw those two vertical lines on his chest. When he got to Denver, there wasn't much of a debate. He wanted it. He got it.
The History Behind Bo Nix Wearing Number 10
Nix didn’t just stumble into 10 because it looked cool in the mirror. This goes back. Way back.
He wore the number throughout his high school career at Pinson Valley in Alabama. When you’re a blue-chip recruit and the son of a legendary Auburn quarterback, people expect a certain level of consistency. His father, Patrick Nix, famously wore number 10 during his own stint as the Tigers' signal-caller in the 90s.
For Bo, wearing 10 at Auburn was a tribute. It was a "passing of the torch" moment that the fanbase absolutely ate up. It represented a family lineage in a state where college football is basically a religion.
But then things got complicated.
The Auburn era didn't end with a fairy tale. It ended with an injury and a transfer. When Nix headed to Eugene to play for the Oregon Ducks, he had a choice to make. Do you hit the reset button? Do you change your look to distance yourself from the "legacy kid" labels?
He didn't. He doubled down.
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At Oregon, the Bo Nix jersey number became a symbol of a career resurgence. He looked faster. He played smarter. He threw for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns in a single season wearing that number 10. By the time the 2024 NFL Draft rolled around, it was impossible to imagine him in anything else.
Why Number 10 Matters in Denver
When Nix was drafted 12th overall by the Broncos, the roster was in flux. Usually, a rookie quarterback has to beg a veteran for their number. Or pay for it.
Luckily for Nix, the path was relatively clear.
Jerry Jeudy, who previously wore 10 for the Broncos, had been traded to the Cleveland Browns in March 2024. That move effectively "unretired" the number for the next era. While some fans wondered if Nix might pivot to something like 12 or maybe a single digit like 7 (though John Elway might have something to say about that), the decision to stick with 10 felt right.
It’s a clean look.
In the NFL, jersey numbers were strictly regulated for decades. Quarterbacks had to stay between 1 and 19. While those rules have loosened up—allowing linebackers to wear 0 and wide receivers to wear whatever they want—the number 10 remains a classic "quarterback" look. It’s symmetrical. It’s bold.
Think about the other "10s" in the league. You’ve got Justin Herbert in LA. You had Eli Manning in New York. It’s a number for guys who are expected to be the face of a city.
The Broncos haven't had a truly iconic number 10 since... well, maybe never. Jeudy had flashes. Emmanuel Sanders wore it during the Super Bowl 50 run and was beloved, but he’s remembered more as a Swiss Army knife receiver than the singular pillar of the franchise. Nix has the chance to make that number his own in a way no one in Denver ever has.
Does the Number Change How He Plays?
Honestly? No.
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But psychology in sports is a real thing. Athletes are creatures of habit. If Nix has worn 10 for every major victory in his life—from state championships to New Year's Six bowls—there is a comfort level there. When he looks down at his jersey in a high-pressure 2-minute drill against the Chiefs, he sees the same thing he’s seen since he was 15 years old.
That matters.
Sean Payton, the Broncos' head coach, is notoriously particular about details. He’s a guy who cares about the "vibe" of his locker room. Giving Nix his preferred number 10 was a small but significant vote of confidence. It said: This is your team. Here are your keys. Go do your thing.
What Fans Need to Know Before Buying the Jersey
If you’re heading to the team store or browsing online, you’re going to see a few different versions of the Bo Nix jersey number.
The Broncos recently underwent a massive brand refresh with their "Sunset Orange" and "Midnight Blue" jerseys. The new "Mile High Collection" features a cleaner, more modern font for the numbers. On the number 10, the "1" and the "0" have sharp angles that are meant to mimic the peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
It's a subtle detail, but it makes the jersey pop.
One thing to watch out for: sizing. The new Nike F.U.S.E. jerseys fit a bit tighter than the old Legend or Game jerseys. If you're planning on wearing a hoodie under your Nix jersey for a cold November game at Mile High, you might want to size up.
Also, keep an eye on the "Throwback" alternate. The Broncos brought back the 1977-style "D" logo and the lighter orange. Seeing Nix in a throwback number 10 is basically a fever dream for older fans who remember the Orange Crush era. It bridges the gap between the old-school grit of the 70s and the modern efficiency of Payton’s offense.
The Legacy of 10 in the NFL
Nix is joining a specific fraternity of tens.
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- Eli Manning: The ultimate 10. Two Super Bowls. Total stoicism.
- Fran Tarkenton: The original scrambler.
- Justin Herbert: The modern-day cannon arm.
By keeping his college number, Nix is betting on himself. He’s saying that his success at Oregon wasn't a fluke of a "system" or a product of weak Pac-12 defenses. He’s bringing that same energy to the AFC West.
It’s also worth noting the marketing side of this. In the era of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), Nix was already a brand before he ever took an NFL snap. "Bo Nix 10" was already on t-shirts, hats, and digital avatars. Changing it would have been a logistical nightmare for his team and a missed opportunity for the Broncos' merchandising department.
Final Thoughts on the Choice
At the end of the day, a number is just a number until you do something with it.
If Nix struggles, number 10 will just be another jersey in the clearance rack in three years. But if he succeeds—if he becomes the franchise savior the city of Denver is starving for—that number will be hanging from the rafters one day.
He chose 10 because it’s who he is. It represents his dad. It represents his comeback. It represents his future.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
If you're looking to grab a Nix jersey, don't just go for the cheapest option.
- Check the Jersey Tier: The "Limited" version has stitched numbers and names, which last significantly longer than the "Game" version's screen print. If you're dropping $130+, the stitching is worth the extra $40.
- Verify the Font: Ensure you are buying the new 2024 "Mile High Collection" design. Some third-party retailers are still trying to offload old blank templates with Nix’s name on them. The new ones have the mountain-peak perforated numbers.
- Watch the Colorways: The "Summit White" road jersey is arguably the cleanest look for number 10, but the "Sunset Orange" is the quintessential Broncos experience.
The Bo Nix jersey number is 10. It's official. It's locked in. Now, all that’s left is for him to play like the guy who earned it.
The Broncos have their leader. He’s got his number. The rest is just football.