Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
Getty
Sean Payton of the Founders FFC takes the field during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos have made the postseason in back-to-back seasons with Bo Nix, and they were less than a touchdown away from the Super Bowl despite not having him in the AFC Championship Game.
And yet, on April Fool’s Day of all possible days, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported on the Broncos’ potential interest in Aaron Rodgers.
Reactions to the apparent news flowed in fast and furiously, including from the Broncos.
Broncos Rumor Ripped on Social Media
Aaron Rodgers, Denver Broncos
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on after defeating the Baltimore Ravens.
Florio attempted to cull the calls of his report being a prank, which the supposed revelation was sure to drum up, noting that the Broncos had interest in Rodgers before, that this was still in preliminary stages, and that brass in Denver espoused faith in Nix’s recovery.
That did not stop the flood of attacks on the report.
“Unfortunately even April Fools has little credibility anymore on here. There are a glut of accounts out there specifically dedicated to spreading misinformation and triggering aggregation (OK yeah it’s funny sometimes),” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans posted on X in reaction to the initial reporting. “IDK man. Media literacy needs to be taught in schools.”
“There is ‘less than a zero percent chance’ Aaron Rodgers will visit with the Broncos, per source,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens posted on X. “It’s April Fools and that story is completely false.”
KOA’s Benjamin Allbright corroborated Stevens’ report with one of his own, posting, “The Broncos are not lurking. They don’t have an eye on it. It is, per source ‘made up.’ It is April 1, so that’s the theory on its origins, from Broncos brass.”
Allbright doubled down on his stance as Florio’s report, which Florio doubled down on, made the rounds in Steelers social media circles.
“As I said earlier… there is no talk,” Allbright said, quoting the aggregation and adding that he heard “direct from the team” that they “thought it was an April Fools joke” and that is a “completely made up” story.
Moreover, Stevens asserted that “Nix will be 100%” for the offseason program and beyond.
Broncos Country Not Buying Rumored Aaron Rodgers Interest
Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on before a game against the Cleveland Browns.
The reactions jibe with what the Broncos have said, including since Nix underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his ankle. They added during the owners meetings in recent days that he is ahead of schedule.
Predominantly Orange’s Sayre Bedinger poked fun at it all, calling the narrative about the Broncos’ lack of outside free agents “tired.”
“Ruining their future for one year of Aaron Rodgers” is now “wired.”
Evans recapped the end of the NFL business day by posting that “The Broncos officially did *not* bring in Aaron Rodgers for a visit today, per the wire, adding that the notice was “Just in case you were wondering.”
Bo Nix Injury Never Threatened 2026 Season
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos scrambles against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Nix is Payton’s hand-picked QB and was the 12th overall pick in 2024. He has set numerous records over his first two seasons in the NFL with the Broncos. He suffered his injury on an otherwise innocuous play during the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Brocos have no reason to believe that there will be any lingering issues going forward. That is despite Nix’s previous injury history, a polarizing talking point earlier this offseason.
Denver also has a trusted backup in Jarrett Stidham and has Sam Ehlinger for emergencies.
There would need to be a significant shift for the Broncos to pursue Rodgers with Nix on hand and expected to be healthy. It would also require the four-time MVP to accept such a precarious, certainly short-term role.