If you haven't been glued to the TV on Sundays recently, you might still be thinking about the carousel. You know the one. That revolving door of signal-callers in Denver that felt like it would never stop spinning after Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset.
But things have changed. Drastically.
Bo Nix is the guy. He’s not just the starter; he’s the undisputed face of a franchise that finally looks like it knows what it’s doing again. Honestly, after years of "bridge" quarterbacks and expensive veteran experiments that went nowhere, seeing a young guy actually stick feels a bit surreal for most Broncos fans.
The Bo Nix Era in Denver
Right now, as we hit the mid-January playoff push in 2026, Bo Nix is sitting on top of the world—or at least on top of the AFC. He just wrapped up a regular season where he led the Broncos to a 14-3 record. That's good enough for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
People forget how fast this happened.
It feels like just yesterday Sean Payton was taking a massive gamble by moving on from Russell Wilson and swallowing that historic dead-money hit. He drafted Nix at No. 12 overall in 2024, and the "experts" hated it. They said he was a reach. They said his arm wasn't big enough.
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They were wrong.
Nix didn't just survive his rookie year; he thrived. He set franchise rookie records for yards and touchdowns. But it’s what he did in 2025 that really solidified his spot. He threw for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. More importantly, he’s become a master of the fourth-quarter comeback. He had five of them this year alone. One of the wildest was against the Giants in October, where the Broncos were down 26-8 with basically six minutes left. Nix just... found a way.
What the depth chart looks like
Behind Nix, the room is pretty stable, which is a luxury in the NFL.
- Jarrett Stidham: The primary backup. He’s the veteran presence who knows Payton’s system inside and out. There's been some talk about him being a cap casualty in the 2026 offseason, but for this playoff run, he's the insurance policy.
- Sam Ehlinger: Sitting at No. 3. He’s the "in case of emergency" guy who provides some mobility if things go south.
It's a "Bo-centric" world in Denver. The offense is built entirely around his ability to get the ball out quick and make smart decisions.
Why Sean Payton is "Salty"
You’ve probably seen the headlines. Sean Payton has been a little short with the media lately. Even after a 14-win season, the man is a perfectionist.
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The Broncos' offense hit a bit of a snag in the final two weeks of the regular season. They beat the Chiefs and the Chargers, sure, but it wasn't pretty. Payton called the tape "not really good." He’s worried about third-down conversions and red-zone efficiency.
There’s a narrative out there that Payton was "holding back" his playbook to keep things hidden for the playoffs. He flat-out denied that. He basically said they just played poorly and need to be sharper if they want to survive the divisional round against a team like Buffalo.
The "Franchise QB" Debate
Is Bo Nix a franchise quarterback?
If you ask Tony Romo, the answer is a resounding yes. He recently called Nix a "franchise guy" because of his temperament and how he handles pressure. But not everyone is ready to hand over the crown.
Kurt Warner, for example, is still a bit of a skeptic. He recently pointed out that Nix needs to be more aggressive downfield. Nix’s average yards per attempt actually dropped a bit this year to 6.43. Warner’s argument is that in the playoffs, you can't just check the ball down. You have to take risks. You have to "sling it."
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It’s a fair critique. Nix is incredibly efficient—he’s great at avoiding sacks and limiting turnovers—but he hasn't quite shown that he can consistently beat elite defenses by attacking the deep third.
What’s Next for the Broncos' QB?
The immediate future is all about the Divisional Round at Empower Field at Mile High. Nix is looking to become one of the youngest quarterbacks to ever lead a team to a Super Bowl.
If he wins a couple of games here, the "is he a franchise QB?" debate ends instantly.
Looking toward the 2026 offseason, the Broncos are in a weirdly good spot. They have their guy, they have a winning culture back, and they have a coach who finally has his perfect avatar on the field. The focus will likely shift to finding Nix more weapons or shoring up the defense, rather than searching for a new savior under center.
Actionable Insights for Broncos Fans:
- Watch the Red Zone: In the upcoming playoff games, pay attention to how Nix handles the 20-yard line. If he can turn those field goals into touchdowns, Denver is a Super Bowl favorite.
- Monitor the "Aggression" Factor: Keep an eye on the deep shots. If Nix starts testing safeties early, it’s a sign that Payton has opened up the playbook for the postseason.
- Appreciate the Stability: For the first time in a decade, you don't have to wonder who will be starting next September. That's a win in itself.