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Jan 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hugs wife, Izzy Nix before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Bo Nix’s Wife Shares Emotional Photo After Heartbreaking Injury

Originally posted on Denver Broncos on SI
By Chad Jensen | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 2:01 PM ET

Broncos Country went through one of the wildest mood swings any fan base could be thrown into. After an epic roller-coaster win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, fans were elated to know that the Denver Broncos had advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

45 minutes later, that elation was sucked out of the air as Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced that Bo Nix had fractured his ankle toward the end of the game and would miss the rest of the playoffs. Shock. Gut-punch. Devastation.

Imagine what Nix must have been going through in that moment. After leading the Broncos to their first division crown and playoff win in a decade, the enormity of those accomplishments, and his part in them, came crashing down around him with the injury to his ankle. The knowledge that he won't be on the field to see it all through must be crushing.

Nix's wife, Izzy, actually gave fans a snapshot of a very special moment from Saturday night, taking to her Instagram story to share a photo of the hallway corner outside the locker room with Bo still dressed (minus his cleat and sock on the injured foot), surrounded by his family, fellow quarterbacks, and coaches. Izzy shared a personal message of hope and faith.

"I snuck this picture because I wanted to remember this moment forever. The joy, followed by the heartbreak, followed by watching each teammate and coach come to this little corner and sit by Bo's side," Izzy wrote in her caption. "God could have placed us anywhere, and I'm so grateful He chose Denver. He is the perfect Author of Bo's story and we cannot wait to see what He has in store for this team. We'll be on the front row, cheering the loudest!!!"

Bo Nix's wife, Izzy, posted this Pic and message to her Instagram story. Inspiring message and an image that tugs the heart strings pic.twitter.com/u9T1xwXC4l
— Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) January 19, 2026

The Hallway Scene

Pictured in the photo surrounding Nix are his father, Patrick, Broncos quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger, and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb. We've heard from Nix and Payton how close-knit the Broncos' quarterback room is, and this image reflects that.

In Sunday's conference call, Payton explained the events of the day prior and how the confirmation of Nix's injury unfolded. One of the things that made the news so shocking is that Payton had already held his post-game press conference following the Bills win, so when he called another shortly after, without Nix taking to his own podium, the worst fears were realized.

"When I came back from that press conference, [Vice President of Player Health and Performance] Beau [Lowery], our medical trainer, [General Manager] George [Paton], there was a group in my office and I knew," Payton said on Sunday. "They didn’t say anything, but I knew there was something. We always meet after the game and discuss injuries but that was early.

"They said, ‘Look, there’s a fracture.’ [They] showed me the X-ray. Immediately, I walked down the hall. Bo was kind of sitting outside the locker room, leaning up against the wall. His wife, his parents, family there, I think ‘Stiddy’ (Stidham), a few others. I just asked him how he was doing, ‘Are you hanging in there?’ I said to you guys last night, this is a strong-minded individual. Obviously, it was disappointing right at that moment to get to this point. So that’s essentially what took place."

Payton had his reasons for getting the news out immediately, even though he'd already dismissed the team and half the locker room was gone. The QB1 mantle immediately passed to Stidham, and Payton and the coaches have already begun game-planning for the New England Patriots with their new signal-caller.

Heartbreak for Bo

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nix is scheduled to undergo surgery on his injured right ankle on Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama. We've yet to hear from him since the news of his injury broke, but that time will come.

Meanwhile, all of Nix's sacrifice and hard work — all those magical moments in the clutch — have purchased a valuable opportunity for Stidham. The storybook component to this situation cannot be overstated.

It was Stidham who, as the Auburn Tigers' starting quarterback, took Nix through his visit as a high school recruit back in 2018. Nix succeeded Stidham, who left for the NFL after being drafted by the Patriots in 2019, while Bo became a freshman starter at Auburn.

The fact that Nix and Stidham ended up together in Denver is quite the coincidence. Nix had to compete with his friend and former mentor of sorts for the Broncos' starting job as a rookie. After Bo won, Stidham said all the right things and has accepted his place as his backup, assuring Broncos fans that he'll be ready to go if and when he's called upon.

That time is now. Nix has achieved so much as the Broncos' quarterback over the past two years. This franchise is back where it belongs, and he's just getting started as a pro.

It's heartbreaking that Nix won't be on the field to see it through, but who better to take on the responsibility of protecting Nix's accomplishments and doing what it takes to capitalize on the rare opportunity to host the AFC Championship Game than Stidham?

One doesn't have to be religious or a believer to sense some cosmic forces at work here. If Stidham is able to beat the Patriots next week, it'll be hard to argue against the 2025 Broncos being a team of destiny.

As Izzy said on Instagram, she and Bo will be in the front row cheering Stidham and the Broncos on from here. Next Sunday's game at Empower Field at Mile High is going to be more emotionally-charged than perhaps any playoff game in franchise history.