Garett Bolles on Bo Nix Injury: “It Would’ve Been a Different Ballgame”
Garett Bolles isn’t one to mince words-and this time, the Denver Broncos’ veteran left tackle gave voice to a feeling that’s been simmering across Broncos Country since the AFC Championship: if Bo Nix had been healthy, Denver might be prepping for the Super Bowl right now.
Appearing on the NFL Daily podcast with Gregg Rosenthal and Jourdan Rodrigue, Bolles made it clear-he believes the Broncos’ season took a sharp turn the moment Nix went down.
“I’m saying it would be a different outcome if we had our starting quarterback,” Bolles said. “Bo took us there.
He had a phenomenal year. When you lose a guy like that-that’s not just your quarterback, but the leader of your team-it’s devastating.”
And he’s not wrong about Nix’s impact. The rookie quarterback didn’t just manage games-he elevated the Broncos’ offense with poise, vision, and a quiet confidence that spread throughout the locker room. His ability to read defenses, extend plays with his legs, and make throws on the move gave Denver a dynamic edge that had been missing in recent years.
But that momentum came to a gut-wrenching halt in the Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills. Nix fractured his ankle in overtime of that 33-30 thriller-Denver’s first playoff win since 2015.
The celebration was short-lived. Head coach Sean Payton held a second press conference that week to deliver the tough blow: Nix was done for the year.
That left the keys to the offense in Jarrett Stidham’s hands for the AFC Championship against the Patriots. And while Stidham came out firing-leading a crisp first-quarter drive that ended in a touchdown-Denver’s offense stalled from there. The Broncos didn’t score again, eventually falling 10-7 in a game that will sting for a long time.
Stidham also had a costly fumble that set up New England’s only touchdown. But Bolles didn’t throw his backup under the bus.
“Stiddy did everything he can. Love that dude; I’m so grateful he came in and handled the business he did,” Bolles said. “But it would be a different ball game if we had our quarterback.”
That’s the kind of loyalty you want from your offensive line anchor-but also a clear-eyed assessment from someone who’s been in the trenches all season long. Bolles saw firsthand what Nix brought to the huddle, and what the team lost when he went down.
The silver lining? Nix is already on the mend. He’s expected to be full-go for offseason workouts, and all signs point to him being ready when Denver begins its push for another playoff run this spring and summer.
Bolles’ comments don’t come off as sour grapes-they reflect the belief inside the Broncos’ locker room that they were close. Painfully close. And with Nix back under center, they believe they can finish the job.
“I’ll tell you this: If we had Bo Nix, it would be a different ballgame,” Bolles repeated.
That kind of conviction doesn’t fade in the offseason. It fuels the next one. And if this team stays healthy and keeps building, don’t be surprised if they’re right back in the mix next January-with Nix leading the charge.