Bo Nix’s 2026 opener went sideways fast, and the fallout has already started to spill beyond the box score.
In Denver’s 31-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Nix finished with 17 completions for 131 yards and a touchdown to Evan Engram. But the stat line doesn’t come close to telling the whole story.
He threw an interception to Mansoor Delane on the game’s first drive, then gave it away again with a lost fumble after Felix Anudike-Uzomah got to him late in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, with Denver trailing by the eventual final margin, he also couldn’t connect with Troy Franklin on fourth down.
That kind of night was enough to get Colin Cowherd talking about a possible shakeup in Denver, saying Sean Payton might need to move on from Nix, or even from offensive coordinator Davis Webb if he had the option.
"Roster too good for this mess."
The Broncos didn’t get nearly enough from the players expected to carry the passing game, either. Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle, both billed as Nix’s top targets, were nearly invisible and combined for just 13 receiving yards. Instead, Engram and Pat Pryant did most of the damage through the air, accounting for 85 yards together.
Denver’s run game was just as quiet. JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey totaled only 54 rushing yards combined, while reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III ran for 173 yards on his own.
After the game, Nix pointed to Webb and said the offense didn’t do enough to help him.
"I think the players did not make it easy on him today. Pretty critical, actually, that he was in the headset. We treated it, like, he was a pro with it."
He continued:
"He was like, 'Hey, next play, here we go. You got this.'
He shot it with conviction. I mean, we called exactly what we prepared for and what we wanted.
And we just didn't execute, and then we were behind. I don't think we did a lot of good consistently."
Nix and the Broncos turn around quickly, with Jacksonville next on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 2:05 p.m. MT on CBS.
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