Bo Nix's Play Discussed by NFL Insiders, Broncos QB Looks 'Uncomfortable' in Offense

The Denver Broncos' 9-2 start to the 2025 season apparently hasn't been enough to make all NFL insiders a believer in second-year quarterback Bo Nix.

ESPN's Jeff Legwold reported Wednesday that "several league offensive coaches and personnel executives" feel Nix's footwork has become "spottier" since his rookie season.

These insiders went on to express concern with Nix's ability to keep up with Sean Payton's frequent offensive substitutions, according to Legwold.

"They also mentioned that Nix has more of a penchant for 'fadeaway jumper' type passes, which at times impact his accuracy," Legwold wrote. "And multiple people said Nix appears to be uncomfortable with the pace of the offense, outside of the late-game drives when the team is in more of a hurry-up mode."

According to Legwold, a "long-time quarterbacks coach" expressed concern with Nix's apparent preference to play at tempo.

"They're winning and he's been really good late in games, and that's all that matters— I know that," the coach told Legwold. "But big picture, I'd be concerned that they look hurried all the time even when they're not trying to play fast. I'm not there— I don't know if they put more on his plate [than last year], but they look hurried, and not good hurried.

"And he plays that way after the snap sometimes, leaving-the-pocket-when-he-doesn't-have-to type thing. When he climbs [the pocket], it's not always looking for a play, it's more sudden, like 'Get me out of here.'"

After a 1-2 start to the season, Nix and the Broncos have been riding an eight-game win streak to the top of the AFC West.

Five of those eight wins, including the Broncos' last three victories, have been decided by a game-winning field goal from Wil Lutz.

Driving the Broncos' offense far enough downfield for those clutch field goals has taken a lot of passes from Nix, who currently leads the NFL in pass attempts with 387 through 11 games. He's also been sacked on an NFL-low 3.07 percent of those attempts.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe recently noted that Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the only quarterbacks since 2012 to make the playoffs after leading the NFL in pass attempts.

Nix could become the first quarterback since Brady in 2022 to lead his team into the postseason while attempting this many passes behind a Broncos offensive line that has so far held opponents to just 12 sacks in 11 games.

But the second-year quarterback has also seen his pass completion rate (61.2 percent), yards per attempt (6.3) and yards per carry (4.3) dip since his rookie season.

The Broncos are next set to take on the struggling Washington Commanders, who are riding a six-game losing streak into Sunday's matchup. Given that the Commanders defense has allowed an NFL-high 2,908 passing yards so far this season, Week 12 could present an ideal opportunity for Payton, Nix and the Broncos' offense to work on their consistency.