Denver’s second-year quarterback keeps making the same mistakes — and the Broncos can’t keep winning in spite of him forever
The Denver Broncos might be 8–2, but let’s not pretend Bo Nix has much to do with it. Right now, the second-year quarterback is dragging one of the NFL’s most complete rosters down with his erratic play and shaky decision-making.
Thursday night’s 10–7 win over the Raiders was the latest reminder that Denver’s offense isn’t dangerous — it’s dysfunctional. And the biggest reason is wearing No. 10.
Nix finished 16-of-28 for 150 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His QBR was 27.2. His passer rating was 54.2. On paper, that’s bad. On film, it’s worse.
He looked lost in the pocket, sailed easy throws, and forced passes into double coverage like a rookie guessing at NFL speed. The same mechanical flaws that scouts flagged at Oregon — narrow base, late release, sloppy footwork — keep showing up. So do the bad habits: locking on his first read, bailing on clean pockets, missing checkdowns, and throwing blind into traffic.
Denver’s defense bailed him out again. The unit held Las Vegas to seven points, created two turnovers, and delivered field position all night. Nix gave almost all of it back.
The Broncos didn’t draft Bo Nix 12th overall to manage games this poorly. They drafted him because Sean Payton saw a mature, efficient, pro-ready quarterback who could process quickly and stay accurate. Ten games into 2025, he’s none of that.
Yes, the counting stats look fine on the surface — 2,126 passing yards (7th in the NFL), 18 touchdowns (tied for 2nd). But stats can lie. His completion percentage is just 60.9%. He’s thrown eight interceptions, and his QBR (54.9) ranks 19th. He ranks near the bottom of the league in accuracy on throws beyond 10 yards. When the pocket breaks down, his reads collapse.
Worse, he’s regressing. Nix completed 66% of his passes as a rookie, looked poised in the red zone, and showed glimpses of the quick-strike rhythm Payton’s offense demands. This year, he’s jittery and scattershot. His confidence looks fractured.
The excuses have worn thin. Nix has a strong supporting cast — including a great offensive line that’s kept him clean all year — yet he’s still missing throws. And at some point, “learning curve” stops being a fair defense.
Denver’s defense is championship-caliber. It ranks near the top in points allowed and turnovers forced. But that won’t matter in January if the quarterback keeps wasting possessions and handing opponents extra chances. A team this talented shouldn’t be scraping by on 10 points against the Raiders.
The Broncos can’t keep hiding behind their record. Winning in spite of your quarterback isn’t a plan; it’s a warning. And right now, every game Nix starts feels like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
He doesn’t just need to improve — he needs to grow up as a quarterback. Read the field. Make the right throw. Protect the ball. Play with some conviction.
They’re going to make the playoffs. But with Bo Nix playing like this, they won’t last long.
Check Out All EasySportz NFL Content Here!
Jaguars Season Preview, A Look Back!
