The Denver Broncos scored an overtime win Thursday night over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, but it was in spite of quarterback Bo Nix, not because of him.
Nix completed 17 of his 27 passes for just 107 yards and no touchdowns in the 17-14 win, averaging just four yards per attempt, and a measly 29.0 QBR for the night. He also managed just two yards rushing on four carries.
It’s been a theme throughout his NFL career so far that Nix prefers check-downs and short throws outside the numbers as opposed to challenging defenses down the field, and that narrative was reinforced with his performance Thursday night.
On Amazon Prime’s post-game show, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick couldn’t contain his frustration with the way Nix is playing the position, ripping the former Auburn and Oregon signal-caller for his lack of competitiveness.
“Bo Nix is not playing competitively,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s almost disrespectful to the quarterback position, how he’s playing football right now.”
Anybody who experienced “Fitz-Magic” during Ryan’s career will remember his playing style as quite the opposite of what Nix has brought to the table as an NFL passer so far, so it’s not surprising that the passive, dink-and-dunk approach doesn’t sit well with him. Still, it’s rare to see an analyst get that worked up over a current player’s performance, especially after a win.
The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nix has shown flashes of quality play over his time as the starter in Denver, but most of his film shows that lack of willingness to take chances down the field and push the ball vertically. He’s got some athleticism and toughness as a runner, but his accuracy, ball placement and decision-making have been inconsistent, too.
Thankfully for the Broncos and their fans, they currently have one of the NFL’s best defenses, and that’s the only reason they walked away with the victory Thursday night. But if they want to get anywhere near the AFC title game again, they’re going to need Nix to take his game to another level and prove he can be a true franchise passer.
If that doesn’t happen, he won’t be able to lead them to a championship, and one of the league’s best defenses could be wasted before they’re forced to spend another first-round pick on a replacement with a higher ceiling as a downfield passer.
