Quarterback-center tandem will be in different uniforms Sunday
Sunday, will be the start of a new NFL rivalry between two close college friends when the Las Vegas Raiders visit the Denver Broncos in a 1:05 p.m. kickoff.
At Oregon, quarterback Bo Nix and his center, Jackson Powers-Johnson, were closely connected as the leaders and the engines of a powerful offense for the successful Ducks.
During the 2024 NFL draft, though, Nix and Powers-Johnson went from college partners, to NFL rivals. The Denver Broncos selected Nix with the No. 12 overall draft pick. The next night, the Raiders gladly ended Powers-Johnson’s slight draft slide and nabbed him with the No. 44 pick.
Suddenly, the two became AFC West enemies.
This week, begins what could be more than decade of matchups between these two close friends.
Nix (who also has former Oregon star receiver Troy Franklin, a fourth-round pick this year, on is side) has gone through typical rookie quarterback up-and-downs, but Denver is confident he is the long-term answer
Powers-Johnson is getting time at guard and the Raiders hope he will be a settling influence on their offensive line for many years to come.
So, these two former Ducks are doing their school proud as they begin their NFL rivalry this week.