ClutchPoints
The quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Bo Nix, has the backing of his teammates, despite a recent spat with his coach. And one of the toughest aspects of the NFL is the tendency for overreactions, including the suggestion that the Broncos’ loss to the Chargers proves Nix isn’t the guy in Denver.
However, another thing about the NFL is the standard. And if players don’t meet the standard in a given week, they open themselves up to a harsh critique. It’s part of the job. And Nix didn’t live up to the standard with his performance against the Chargers.
Justin Herbert hit Keenan Allen for a tying score, and then led the Chargers to a game-ending 43-yard field goal in a 23-20 final on Sunday. The Broncos fell to 1-2, and that brings questions to Nix’s doorstep.
There were winnable plays that Nix missed in this game. In particular, he overthrew Marvin Mims Jr. on a flea-flicker that should have been a score in the third quarter. Late in the game, with the score tied at 20-20, Nix overthrew Courtland Sutton.
It turned out to be a game-changer, according to Sports Illustrated.
“The route at the end is kind of like a seam—almost a double move,” head coach Sean Patyon said. “And then, look, the third-and-long flea-flicker was close. So sometimes, if it’s a double move, your eyes can betray you a little bit. But I thought he’s throwing it real accurately, putting the ball in good places. Protecting it.”
The numbers on Sunday don’t heavily support Nix being post-game protected by Payton. He finished 14 of 23 for 153 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
But Payton doesn’t want to reel in Nix. He wants him to turn it loose.
“No, keep slinging it,” Payton said. “There’s no conversation. Keep slinging it. The last thing you want is to … I mean, those are, man, almost spot-on, so yeah.”
Running back J.K. Dobbins expressed his support for Nix, according to a post on X by Zac Stevens.
“He played a great game,” Dobbins said. “I got his back, we got his back. He’s a great quarterback, and we lost this game as a team. It’s not on him. You know, guys got to make more plays for him.”
Look around the NFL. Elite quarterbacks are few. Quality starting quarterbacks beyond the elite are hard to find. Nix proved last year that he belongs in the NFL. As a rookie, he completed 66.3% of his passes with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Those are awesome numbers, and he finished No. 3 in the offensive rookie of the year voting.
To suggest three games into the 2025 season that he has proven he’s not the guy in Denver flies in the face of common sense. What are the Broncos going to do? Are they going to blow it up and draft a...
