John McCormick

McCormick threw 17 touchdowns across five seasons in the early '60s—a respectable journeyman who kept Denver's offense functional during the AFL's wild years. Bo Nix is building something entirely different: a young quarterback in a modern system with actual weapons, playing in an era where passing efficiency matters exponentially more. McCormick was competent; Nix has upside.

No, McCormick never made Canton, and his 19.0 passer rating in 1962 tells you why. He was a functional starter in a rougher era, but his career numbers—2,895 passing yards and 17 touchdowns—don't carry Hall of Fame weight. Denver had better.

McCormick would struggle mightily. His rookie season featured 104 yards and five interceptions—those numbers would be catastrophic under modern scrutiny. Today's rules protect receivers and penalize pressure, but they also demand precision and decision-making speed that McCormick never demonstrated. He'd be a practice squad casualty.

Elway obliterates this comparison. His 71.78 rating versus McCormick's 8.51 isn't even close—that's the difference between a Hall of Famer and a placeholder. Elway won Super Bowls and defined an era; McCormick managed games in the AFL's infancy. Different universes entirely.