The Denver Broncos have made it clear: they’re all in on Bo Nix. Despite some recent confusion over the nature of his ankle injury, the organization isn’t blinking when it comes to their belief in the young quarterback’s future.
Earlier this week, head coach Sean Payton stirred the pot a bit when he suggested Nix’s ankle fracture may have stemmed from a "predisposed condition." That comment raised eyebrows and sparked questions about whether the 2024 first-round pick might be dealing with a chronic issue.
But Nix quickly pushed back, saying Payton may have simply misunderstood the situation. Now, team owner and CEO Greg Penner is stepping in to squash any lingering doubts.
“Zero concern,” Penner said when asked about Nix’s durability moving forward. “His surgery was a straightforward surgery, went very well. Absolutely no issues there or concerns going forward.”
That’s about as definitive as it gets.
While ESPN’s Jeff Legwold did point out that Nix has dealt with ankle problems dating back to high school, the Broncos aren’t reading too much into the past. The 25-year-old is expected to be back in training in four to six weeks-a timeline that suggests the team sees this as a minor speed bump, not a red flag.
And let’s not forget what Nix accomplished before the injury. Penner was quick to highlight the quarterback’s performance in his second NFL season, calling it “fantastic.” The numbers back it up: 15 wins, a pair of playoff starts, and a knack for delivering in crunch time.
“He showed his mettle in the fourth quarter a lot of times, bringing us back,” Penner said. “He would say the same thing-it’s only his second year in the league, and he’s got room to grow.
And fortunately, Bo has a terrific approach of studying, working. He loves the game.”
That last part might be the most important. Nix’s work ethic and mindset have earned him the trust of the front office, and that’s not something you can fake. The Broncos believe they’ve got a guy who not only has the tools, but the temperament to keep developing into a franchise quarterback.
But it’s not just Nix who’s earning long-term trust in Denver. Penner also made it clear he wants to keep the team’s leadership duo-head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton-intact beyond their current deals. Paton is under contract through 2026, while Payton has two more years left on his.
“We’d love to have both of them here long-term,” Penner said. “I think the partnership they’ve created and how they work together is very complementary.”
That chemistry has already paid off. With Payton and Paton steering the ship, the Broncos have made back-to-back playoff appearances. And while their AFC Championship loss to the Patriots still stings-especially with Nix sidelined-it’s hard not to wonder what might’ve been if he’d been healthy for that 10-7 slugfest.
As for contract talks with the coaching staff and front office? Penner kept it close to the vest.
“In terms of the contracts, those are things that we’ll always deal with on a personal basis and in private,” he said. “We’ll take that as it comes.”
Bottom line: the Broncos are building something in Denver, and they believe their core-on the field and in the front office-is strong. Nix is recovering, Payton and Paton are clicking, and the team has its sights set on more than just playoff appearances. This is a franchise that believes its best days are still ahead.