Bo Nix Is Turning Heads - Even Colin Cowherd’s, With a Steve Young Comparison That’s Hard to Ignore
Bo Nix has officially entered the national conversation - and not just as a promising young quarterback, but as a potential franchise cornerstone. And when someone as loud and influential as Colin Cowherd starts comparing you to a Hall of Famer, people take notice.
Cowherd, who’s had a long-running interest in the Denver Broncos and head coach Sean Payton, has been known to shift his takes with the wind. But this time, he’s planting a flag - and it’s firmly in Bo Nix territory.
After a standout performance in Week 15, Cowherd went all-in, calling Nix “a right-handed Steve Young.” That’s not a throwaway line.
That’s a declaration.
Let’s unpack what that really means - and why it might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
From Question Mark to Franchise QB
When Bo Nix entered the league, expectations were all over the map. Some saw a high-floor, low-ceiling type of player.
Others weren’t sold at all. But since taking over in Denver, Nix has done more than just stabilize the quarterback position - he’s helped the Broncos rack up 22 regular season wins.
That’s not a fluke. That’s a quarterback leading a team with consistency and poise.
Now in his second year, the conversation has shifted. It’s no longer if Nix can be the guy.
It’s how good he can be. And after Week 15, the ceiling looks a whole lot higher than most expected.
The Steve Young Comparison: Hype or Real?
Here’s what Cowherd said:
“He reminds me of a right-handed Steve Young. He is WAY, WAY more athletic than anybody gives him credit for.”
That’s not just praise - that’s legacy-level projection. Steve Young was one of the most efficient, dynamic quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen.
Seven Pro Bowls. Two MVPs.
Three Super Bowl rings. And a dual-threat skillset that was ahead of its time.
Young led the league in completion percentage five times and touchdown passes four times. He also ran for over 4,200 yards and 43 touchdowns.
He didn’t just extend plays - he created them. If Nix is even in that ballpark, Denver has something special.
And while the comparison might raise eyebrows, it’s not without merit. Nix has shown off underrated athleticism, sharp decision-making, and a calm command of the offense that’s rare for a young quarterback. He’s not just managing games - he’s winning them.
A Flip Worth Watching
It wasn’t long ago that Cowherd was questioning whether the Broncos might look to draft another quarterback. That’s how fast things change in the NFL.
But to his credit, Cowherd was early on the Denver bandwagon when others weren’t. Now, with Nix looking more and more like a franchise guy, Cowherd’s latest take feels less like a hot one and more like a calculated call.
And here’s the thing: if Nix really does continue to develop into that Steve Young mold - a quarterback who can beat you with his arm, legs, and mind - then the Broncos aren’t just set at the position. They’re set to contend.
What’s Next?
The Broncos are trending up, and Bo Nix is at the center of it all. With Sean Payton’s offensive mind guiding him and a growing confidence in the locker room, Denver looks like a team that’s building something real. And if Nix keeps playing like this, we’ll be talking less about comparisons - and more about his own legacy.
For now, the Steve Young comp is a lofty one. But sometimes, the boldest takes are the ones that end up aging the best. If you’re a Broncos fan, you have every reason to believe that Bo Nix might just be the real deal.