CBS Sports is pumping the brakes on the Bo Nix hype train.
After two seasons that have already produced a playoff trip in 2024 and an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2025, Nix looks like a quarterback trending upward. The numbers back that up, too: he has completed 64.8% of his passes for 7,706 yards and 54 touchdowns against 23 interceptions, while also adding nearly 800 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.
But Garrett Podell of CBS Sports isn’t buying the rising-star label just yet. In a list of the most overrated quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season, Podell included Nix alongside Baker Mayfield and Caleb Williams.
"Bo Nix is an incredibly unique quarterback," Podell wrote. "He led the NFL with 612 passing attempts in 2025, but he failed to crack 4,000 yards passing, thanks to an average of 6.4 yards per attempt that ranked 28th among 33 qualified quarterbacks. That average was sandwiched in between washed versions of Aaron Rodgers (6.7 yards per pass attempt) and Kirk Cousins (also 6.4 yards per pass attempt)."
Podell also pointed to Denver’s tendency to let weaker teams hang around, citing the Broncos’ 19-3 home win over the Los Angeles Chargers and their one-score victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun on Christmas. He noted that Denver finished 2025 with the fourth-most punts in the league.
"He benefits from a strong offensive line and a strong defense," Podell continued. "Add in the ankle injury, and it will be interesting to see what happens next in his career."
There’s no question the Broncos have built a loaded roster, especially up front and on defense, and Nix has benefited from that. At the same time, he’s been working with a thin group of skill players, with Courtland Sutton serving as the main weapon while Denver has rotated through running backs and tight ends over his first two seasons.
That picture changes a bit in 2026, though. The Broncos traded for speedy Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, finally giving Nix a true field-stretcher on the outside. Whether that unlocks another level for the quarterback is still to be determined, but calling him overrated feels like a little much this early in his career.
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Dan Lannings tenure has only strengthened that case. Oregon has been extremely difficult to beat at home since he took over, and the Ducks now get to lean on that advantage as the season tightens. With late-season games still ahead in Eugene, Autzens reputation may end up mattering even more when the stakes rise and every detail starts to count. [Read more 🡒]