Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos' offense have not just stalled this season; they are moving in the wrong direction, even as the defense has carried the team to a 4-2 start. Nix ranks near or at the bottom of most quarterback metrics through the first third of the season. One long-time NFL quarterbacks coach and playcaller said it is "just hard to watch and hard for them to find something [Nix] or Sean [Payton] can even dial up just to get their balance."
After speaking with more than a dozen sources around the league, ESPN found a range of theories. Some believe Nix may be feeling the aftereffects of two offseason ankle surgeries. Others wonder whether defensive coaches are getting better at slowing Payton's passing scheme. Concerns about Nix's footwork have also surfaced, and some point to the pressure of a nine-digit contract. The Broncos face short- and long-term questions as they prepare for Sunday's game at the Arizona Cardinals.
The numbers are troubling. In 2026, Nix ranks 30th among qualifying quarterbacks in completion percentage over expectation (minus-4.0%), 31st in QBR (38.2) and 32nd in yards per attempt (5.6). He is also 32nd in air yards per attempt (5.4), tied for the second lowest for any quarterback since 2000. Denver is tied for the third-fewest explosive plays (20) and ranks second in three-and-out rate (31.8%). Perhaps most surprising, Nix is one of the least-pressured quarterbacks in the league.
Nix was once hailed as a comeback king, with "Bo-lieve" shirts spotted across the Rocky Mountain region last year. That enthusiasm has given way to debate over whether he is worth the market rate for starting quarterbacks. Still, the Broncos are 28-12 in regular-season games Nix has started, including a 4-2 start this year. Nix has said of the criticism, "That's just the nature of the beast, part of this gig."
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing