Drake Maye Calls Bo Nix's Season-Ending Injury 'Heartbreaking' Ahead of Patriots vs. Broncos

Drake Maye and the New England Patriots will take on the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game, but it won't be the quarterback matchup some hoped for.

Broncos star quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle on Saturday and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Maye called the injury "heartbreaking."

"Obviously, the news is heartbreaking," Maye said. "For what a player he is, the guy he is. Just praying for Bo. I know he's gonna bounce back. He's a great player in this league and looking forward to matching up with him."

Nix managed to play the entire game against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round but suffered the injury in overtime. He threw for 279 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the 33-30 win.

▶️ Full Bills-Broncos Recap

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The second-year quarterback had a tremendous season, throwing for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while adding 357 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

He helped lead Denver to a 14-3 record and the top seed in the AFC. Unfortunately, he won't get the chance to take the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2015 campaign.

Instead, Denver will use Jarret Stidham under center, and Sam Ehlinger will back him up. Stidham has made just four career starts, none of which came in the playoffs. He's appeared in just one game this year.

Head coach Sean Payton has plenty of faith in him, despite his lack of experience.

"Stiddy is ready to go," Payton told reporters. "... He's ready, he's ready. I feel like I've got a two who's capable of starting for a number of teams, and I know he feels the same way. Watch out, just watch."

Stidham and the Broncos have a tall task ahead of them as they face Maye and the Patriots, though. Maye, also a second-year quarterback, has been in the mix for MVP this year and is looking to keep the Patriots tradition alive and lead them to a Super Bowl.