What Bo Nix’s Injury Means for Patriots

ESPN also noted that this is the third time Nix had suffered a fractured ankle in his entire football career, including once in high school and another at Auburn University.

Nix had 3,931 throwing yards throughout the year alongside 25 passing touchdowns, in addition to rushing for five touchdowns and 356 yards.

On the other side of the coin — the Patriots' QB1 of Drake Maye has had an incredible year for New England. He is reportedly in contention for the coveted MVP award and is in the midst of her first postseason run in only his second-year in the league.

Maye and Nix have had a pre-existing working relationship, that makes Nix's season-ending injury hit close to him for the Patriots' starting quarterback.

"I trained with Bo before the pre-draft. Got to know him well, him and his family and his wife," Maye said. "First off they are just great people. Greta christians, I really enjoy being around Bo Nix and his family."

For Denver, Jarrett Stidham will not be the starting quarterback. Stidham was signed by the Broncos as a free agent in 2023 and has only appeared in one game this year — he played four snaps, including a kneel-down to end the game, in the Broncos' 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 8.

After mentioning that he has former experience training with Nix and knows him and his family/peers very well, Maye also said it's still going to be a tough matchup against the Broncos without their QB1.

"Obviously, the news is heartbreaking," Maye said of Nix being out for the rest of the postseason. "For what a player he is, the guy he is and just know [I'm] praying for Bo. I know he's going to bounce back. He's a great player in this league. I'm looking forward to matching up with him; we had one in college and he got the best of me so I know he'll bounce back but they got a good team and should be a tough one next week."

Sam Ehlinger — who spent most of the season on the Broncos' practice squad before he was signed to the roster last week — will now be the backup QB for the Broncos.

All injuries aside — should the Patriots defeat Denver, it could be history repeating itself; the last time the Pats appeared in the Conference Championship was back in 2018, which eventually saw them hoist the Super Bowl LIII trophy.