NFL: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
Aug 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz had a take on Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix that was just plain wrong and head coach Sean Payton called him out for it.
During an episode of “First Things First” on FOX Sports 1, Schwartz criticized Nix for his lack of downfield throws.
The problem is that the stats say otherwise, and Payton was sure to let him know about it.
“I do think he just is what he is at this point. He looks like the same quarterback he was in college,” Schwartz said of Nix. “He’s consistent. He’s not gonna make mistakes. But he’s not gonna push the ball down the field all that often.”
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“Always easy to tell who works at it and who doesn’t,” Payton said in response to Schwartz’s take.
Always easy to tell who works at it and who doesn't.
— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) August 27, 2026
Schwartz even got the “Community Note” treatment on X, with readers pointing out a stat from Next Gen Stats that proves the former NFL offensive lineman dead wrong.
According to Next Gen Stats, since the start of 2024, no quarterback in the NFL has more deep touchdown passes of 20-plus air yards than Nix, who has 19 (including playoffs).
So, it looks like we can toss Schwartz’s lazy take in the trash.
Broncos primed for Super Bowl run
NFL: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
Aug 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Nix had a career-best 3,932 passing yards and connected on 25 touchdowns to 11 picks while completing 63.4% of his passes.
Nix’s completion rate took a step back from his rookie season, so he’ll be looking to improve that in 2026.
Nix’s outlook is even better this season after the Broncos beefed up the wide receivers room with the addition of Jaylen Waddle, who might be the best wideout Nix has ever had.
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Adding to that, Waddle’s explosive skill set could lead to even more deep strikes for Nix.
The Broncos fell just short of the Big Game in 2025 following a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
What was even more unfortunate about that is the Broncos probably would have won if Nix didn’t get hurt the week prior.
After all, the Broncos only lost that game 10-7 with their backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, who played awful while having to battle the elements.
With what we saw in 2025, the Broncos should most definitely be considered one of the favorites to come out of the AFC in 2026.