The Denver Broncos were a major surprise during the 2024 NFL campaign, and while that was thanks much in part to a stingy defense, their success was also due to Bo Nix's magnificent rookie season.
Nix threw for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 66.3 percent of his passes while posting a 93.3 passer rating last year. Additionally, he rushed for 430 yards and four scores on 4.7 yards per carry.
The Broncos went 10-7 and made the playoffs with Nix leading the way, and even if they were blasted by the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round, their strong showing indicated that the future was bright in the Mile High City.
However, ESPN's Seth Walder does not seem to be on the same wavelength, at least when it comes to Nix.
During a recent piece in which ESPN writers ranked NFL teams based on their future outlooks, Walder offered an incredibly bold prediction on Nix, projecting that the former first-round pick will lose his job soon.
"Nix will lose his starting job during the 2027 season, which will be his last as a Bronco," Walder wrote. "There's optimism around him now, but there's reason to be skeptical in the long term. As a rookie, his rushing led him to be decent efficiency-wise. But he ranked 28th in completion percentage over expectation (minus-2.4%) and 22nd in yards per dropback (6.16) despite playing behind a top-tier offensive line. The roster around him is great now, but it won't always be."
That is certainly a bucket of ice water for Broncos fans, who surely have visions of John Elway dancing in their heads following Nix's brilliant debut season. But evidently, Walder does not think it's going to be smooth sailing for the signal-caller.
In Nix's defense, was his supporting cast really all that great?
The Broncos had one of the worst backfields in football last season, and while Courtland Sutton was terrific, they didn't exactly have a deep receiving corps.
Sure, Marvin Mims is teeming with potential, and Troy Franklin looks like a fourth-round steal after an impressive rookie season. But Nix was not exactly loaded with weapons at his disposal in Year 1.
Denver has certainly tried to help the Oregon product in that regard this offseason, signing tight end Noah Fant and running back J.K. Dobbins in free agency while also drafting pieces like halfback RJ Harvey and receiver Pat Bryant. But even still, the Broncos' playmakers are mostly unproven. Or, at the very least, questionable.
We'll see what Nix has in store next season and if he can silence his critics.
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