The Broncos enter Thursday Night Football at 3-2, with a real shot to handle a tough matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Denver’s defense is dealing with some wear and tear, and Patrick Surtain II is out for Week 6, but the offense has all its pieces in place for Bo Nix and company. With Sean Payton now calling the plays, there’s plenty of reason to feel good about where this group could be headed.
But that optimism comes with a warning label.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pointed to Nix as one of the bigger questions on Denver’s roster, and the issue is less about whether the Broncos would bench him in 2026 than whether they’d want to build around him beyond this season. As Barnwell put it: "The Broncos were hoping Nix would take a step forward after his great performance in the postseason and the addition of Jaylen Waddle," Barnwell writes. "If Nix doesn't get there, will the Broncos want to commit to him as their quarterback of the future on a second contract?"
That’s a sharp pivot from where things might have looked headed, especially since Nix is only in his third NFL season. Normally, a quarterback in that spot would be expected to grow into the job with better support around him. Instead, his play this year hasn’t given Denver much to latch onto.
The timing matters, too. This is the last season before the Broncos have to decide on his fifth-year option, a move that would likely land around $30 million. That’s not pocket change, and it raises the stakes if Nix keeps trending the way he has.
Through the struggles, Nix has posted a 41.5 QBR, which ranks 24th in the NFL, and he’s thrown three interceptions in some rough offensive outings. If that level of play holds, it becomes hard to see Denver making a major long-term commitment.
The Broncos are still likely to ride with him this year and next, at least while he remains on a cheap rookie deal. That part of the equation makes sense. But if he doesn’t clean things up and get back to his 2025 form, the front office may start asking a tougher question: is he worth extending at all?
So while the season still has time to play out, Nix’s performance could shape more than just this year’s results. If he plays well, an extension could be in the conversation. If he doesn’t, the 2027 offseason might be the point when Denver starts thinking about a different direction at quarterback, at least for the long haul.
In Other News...
Bo Nix Admits The Mental Battle Behind Denvers Stalled Offense
Bo Nix is still working through a tricky stretch as the Broncos try to get their offense moving again, and the issue sounds as much mental as physical. The rookie quarterback has talked about the challenge of finding the right blend of assertiveness and caution, a balancing act that matters even more when a team is trying to climb out of an offensive rut.
Denvers struggles have come with defenses shrinking the field and making the Broncos earn everything underneath, while the ground game has not given Nix enough help to keep opponents honest. He has looked more aggressive late in games, which only adds to the sense that the answers are there, even if the process of getting to them is still a work in progress. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Offensive Warning Signs Are Getting Harder To Ignore
The Broncos offensive issues keep piling up, and the latest rough showing against the Chargers only added to the unease around a unit that has been too inconsistent for comfort. Bo Nix has been part of that concern throughout the season, with his play swinging from drive to drive, while Wil Lutz and RJ Harvey have also had their own stretches that have left Denver searching for steadier production.
Jaylen Waddles recent form has been another layer to watch, especially because the drops and the frustration around him have become harder to overlook outside of the Rams game. For a team trying to find any sense of rhythm on offense, the bigger question now is whether these are isolated slumps or signs of something more troubling taking hold. [Read more 🡒]
Bo Nix Faces A Growing Broncos Question Sean Payton Can't Ignore
Bo Nixs first season has already given Sean Payton plenty to evaluate, and the Broncos coach has made it clear he wants more conviction from his rookie quarterback. Nix has been managing the offense, but the downfield element has lagged behind, and the numbers reflect it. Through this point in the season, he is averaging 5.8 yards per attempt, a figure that places him 28th in the league and helps explain why the passing game still feels like it is searching for another gear.
Paytons message has been consistent: be more aggressive and let it rip. For Denver, that is the real hinge point now, because the Broncos need to know whether Nix can grow from a steady starter into the kind of quarterback who changes defenses rather than simply works around them. The wider AFC West picture only adds to the pressure, with teams around the division always looking for ways to upgrade and force answers, which makes Denvers own answer at quarterback feel even more important. [Read more 🡒]