New Bo Nix Rumors on Broncos Future, Insider Calls QB 'Hard to Watch' in Sean Payton's Offense

There is reportedly a belief within the NFL that the Denver Broncos may hold off on signing quarterback Bo Nix to a new contract this season or during the offseason if his play does not improve.

According to ESPN's Jeff Legwold, sources believe the most likely scenario if Nix doesn't play better will see the Broncos exercise the fifth-year option in his rookie contract next offseason, allowing the organization to take a "wait-and-see approach."

Regarding the state of Nix and head coach Sean Payton's offense, an anonymous, longtime NFL quarterbacks coach and play-caller told Legwold, "It's just hard to watch and hard for them to find something [Nix] or Sean can even dial up just to get their balance. … I don't think anybody saw that coming."

Although the Broncos are off to a 4-2 start, their offense has been stagnant, and Nix is trending toward the worst statistical season of his three-year NFL career.

The 26-year-old signal-caller is completing a career-low 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,049 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing for 37 yards and one score.

As a team, Denver ranks 31st in total offense (252.2 yards per game) and 26th in scoring offense (19.0 points per game), which suggests the defense has done much of the heavy lifting.

▶️ Full Seahawks-Broncos Recap

05:23

After Payton served as the offensive play-caller for Nix in each of his first two NFL seasons, he handed the reins over to offensive coordinator Davis Webb during the offseason.

However, after a slow start to the campaign, Payton stripped Webb of the play-calling duties and put them back on his own plate.

While the Broncos have won both games since Payton made himself the play-caller again, the offense hasn't been much better, averaging 20 points per game during that stretch.

Nix's drop-off in play is unexpected to most given the success he enjoyed over his first two seasons.

As a rookie, Nix went 10-7 as a starter, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 picks, plus another 430 yards and four scores on the ground.

Last season, Nix led the Broncos to a 14-3 record and a trip to the AFC Championship Game, and he completed 63.4 percent of his passing attempts for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions to go along with 356 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

While Nix has always been a quarterback who checks the ball down and relies on runs after the catch, his yards-per-attempt average has cratered to 5.5 this season after posting averages of 6.7 in 2024 and 6.4 in 2025.

Denver was expected to have a more dynamic offense in 2026 with the addition of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle via trade, but Waddle has put up fairly pedestrian numbers with 22 catches for 228 yards and one touchdown.

There is still plenty of time for Nix, Payton and the offense to turn things around, and the Broncos have the benefit of a winning record despite their issues on that side of the ball.

However, if the offense continues to operate at such a disappointing level, it is understandable why the front office would perhaps prefer to take a cautious approach with Nix and his contract situation.