Bo Nix’s Ceiling? Chris Simms Sees Shades of Drew Brees - With a Twist
Bo Nix came into the NFL with more than a few comparisons to Drew Brees. Some of that was circumstantial - Sean Payton’s presence in Denver and the Broncos’ draft position made the parallel easy to draw.
But there was also something more tangible: Nix’s accuracy. And now, two years into his pro career, those comparisons aren’t just draft-day chatter.
They’re starting to carry real weight.
NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms isn’t shy about what he sees in Nix. When asked about the young quarterback’s potential, Simms went straight for the gold standard.
“It’s Drew Brees-ish. That’s really what it is,” Simms said. “He’s Drew, but maybe even a little bit better arm, and maybe even a little bit better athlete.”
That’s not a throwaway line. It’s a statement that speaks volumes about how Nix is viewed within some NFL circles - not just as a game manager or system QB, but as a legitimate franchise cornerstone with room to grow.
The Next Step: Building Around Nix
Of course, a quarterback’s ceiling isn’t just about what he can do - it’s about what’s around him. And that’s where the Broncos still have work to do.
Left tackle Garett Bolles didn’t mince words after Denver’s AFC Championship Game loss, pointing to the need for more “playmakers.” That’s been a recurring theme around the team: the offense has some pieces, but it lacks the kind of explosive, game-breaking talent that can turn a solid 10-yard throw into a 50-yard highlight.
Simms echoed that sentiment, but he also pointed to another key change that could unlock Nix’s full potential: the shift from Joe Lombardi to Davis Webb at offensive coordinator.
“I do think Davis Webb with Sean Payton will be a better formula than what they previously had,” Simms said. “Now they’re going to be able to grow the offense and add pieces on that side of the ball - guys who, when Bo throws a 10-yard pass, can break a tackle and take it 40 or 50.”
That’s the formula Denver is chasing: a quarterback-friendly system, paired with weapons who can make plays after the catch. And while the Broncos will be active in free agency, the draft, and the trade market looking for that spark, they may already have one of those guys in-house.
Marvin Mims Jr. - The Spark Plug Waiting to Ignite
Marvin Mims Jr. didn’t get a ton of opportunities during the regular season, but when injuries hit the receiving corps in the playoffs, he stepped into the spotlight - and didn’t blink.
Against the Bills and Patriots, Mims led the Broncos in yards from scrimmage, racking up 155 over those two games. That’s not just production - that’s impact.
And the numbers back it up. Among 83 receivers with at least 30 catches in 2025, Mims ranked sixth in average yards after the catch, with 6.2.
That’s elite territory. That’s exactly the kind of skill set Simms is talking about - the ability to take a short throw and turn it into something dangerous.
Mims has shown flashes of being that kind of player. The question now is whether the Broncos can build a system that consistently puts the ball in his hands - and whether they can find more players like him to round out the offense.
Looking Ahead
Bo Nix isn’t Drew Brees - not yet. But the fact that we’re even having that conversation after just two seasons says a lot about where he is and where he could go. With the right pieces around him and a more dynamic offensive scheme, the Broncos may be on the verge of something special.
The arm talent is there. The athleticism is there. The accuracy - the trait that drew those early Brees comparisons - is still very much there.
Now, it’s about giving Nix the tools to elevate the offense around him. And if Denver can do that, the ceiling might be even higher than anyone thought on draft night.