The Denver Broncos’ playoff run just hit a massive roadblock.
Head coach Sean Payton confirmed after Saturday’s gritty win over the Bills that rookie quarterback Bo Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle and will undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday. The injury ends what had been a promising first year for Nix, who had started all 17 regular-season games and led the Broncos into the postseason.
“He will have surgery Tuesday. His season is over,” Payton said.
“Man on man. He knows God has a plan for him.”
What makes the news even more surprising is that Nix actually finished the game. Payton revealed the injury happened on the second-to-last play of overtime-right before Nix completed a clutch pass to Marvin Mims. That’s the kind of toughness that’s earned Nix respect in the locker room all season long.
Now, the Broncos turn to Jarrett Stidham, who will step in as the starter for next weekend’s AFC Championship Game. Sam Ehlinger is expected to back him up for the remainder of the postseason.
It’s a tough blow for a team that’s been building momentum behind its young quarterback. Nix, 25, was selected 12th overall by Denver in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Oregon.
He signed a four-year, $18.6 million rookie deal that runs through 2027, with a team option for 2028. His 2024 base salary was $795,000 and is set to increase to $960,000 in 2025.
In his rookie campaign, Nix showed why Denver made him their guy. He completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
He also added 356 rushing yards and five scores on the ground-numbers that speak to his dual-threat ability and poise under pressure. He wasn’t just managing games; he was making plays.
This is a team that’s been searching for stability at quarterback for years, and Nix gave them that. His command of the offense, ability to extend plays, and leadership in big moments helped reshape the identity of this Broncos squad. Losing him now, on the doorstep of the Super Bowl, is a gut punch.
But the season isn’t over. Stidham, who’s been in the system and has starting experience, now gets the keys to the offense.
He’ll have a full week to prepare for the biggest game of his career. And with Denver’s defense playing lights out and a solid supporting cast on offense, the Broncos still have a shot.
Still, there’s no sugarcoating it-Bo Nix was a huge part of why Denver got this far. His rookie season ends earlier than anyone hoped, but it ends with a clear message: the Broncos may have finally found their quarterback of the future.