Bo Nix
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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
When the Denver Broncos offense struggled at the start of last season, it was easy to blame it on growing pains for rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
What happened in the 2025 season opener against the Tennessee Titans will need a little more examination. That’s because Nix led a dumpster fire of an offensive outing — one that led to 3 turnovers and a disastrous 4th-and-inches stop by the Titans late in the fourth quarter.
Nix threw 2 interceptions and lost a fumble in the win and the Broncos added another turnover in the fourth quarter when 2-time NFL All-Pro return specialist/wide receiver Marvin Mims lost a muffed punt to the Titans.
Nix finished 25-of-40 passing for 176 yards, 2 interceptions and 1 touchdown.
Nix led the Broncos to a 10-7 record in 2024 and the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2015.
“Bo Nix playing like a rookie 2day,” former Broncos tight end and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe wrote on his official X account.
Broncos Offense Saved By New Running Backs
One part of the offense that worked in the win over the Titans that didn’t work last season was also its saving grace — the run game.
Rookie running back RJ Harvey led the Broncos with 6 carries for 70 yards — a whopping 11.4 yards per carry. Veteran free agent running back J.K. Dobbins added 63 rushing yards and 1 touchdown.
Harvey was a second round pick out of UCF who rushed for over 1,400 yards in each of his last 2 college seasons. Dobbins rushed for a career high 903 yards in just 13 games for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.
Nix’s Performance Sent Broncos Fans Into Spiral
While Nix caught fire at the end of his rookie season passing the ball, he still didn’t have a touchdown pass until his fourth game.
After seeing the online reaction to Nix’s performance against the Titans, it’s safe to say NFL fans don’t have the emotional bandwidth for that kind of patience this year.
“Bo Nix sophomore slump is going to hit like crack in the 80s,” Packers reporter Joel Moran wrote on his official X account.
The Broncos took Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft after he led the nation in touchdown passes (50) and completion percentage (.773) his senior season at Oregon. Nix also left college after setting the FBS record with 61 career starts.
“Bo Nix sophomore slump is upon us,” YouTuber Kinny wrote on their official X account. “This (interception) is one of the worst throws I’ve ever seen.”
“Imagine what the national media would say if Caleb Williams had 3 turnovers vs the worst team in the league,” Caleb Williams Fan Club wrote on its official X account. “Bo Nix sucks.”
One person who wasn’t critical of Nix? His head coach, Sean Payton.
“Well we won, that’s the first thing,” Payton said. “I thought (Nix) hung in there, he battled, and he made some critical plays for us in the second half. I’m sure he’ll be disappointed with the turnovers … but it was a gutsy performance. I thought he played real well in the second half and we won the game.”