How Bo Nix could make Broncos 'biggest threat' to Chiefs in AFC West

The Kansas City Chiefs have won nine straight AFC West titles. Could Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix help end that streak this upcoming season? 

In a column published Monday, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer named the Broncos the "biggest threat" to the Kansas City Chiefs in the division. Nix was one of his main reasons.

"Bo Nix had an offseason that only steeled belief in Denver that he will take another leap in his second year with a young, ascending group of wideouts and ancillary pieces [tight end] Evan Engram and [running back] RJ Harvey added around him," wrote Breer. 

After finishing third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting last season, Nix clearly feels much more comfortable in head coach Sean Payton's offense. 

"He had a completion on a play-action concept [in practice] that last year, he probably wasn't comfortable with the footwork," Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said at mandatory minicamp on June 11. "He came back and said, 'Man, it's so great that I don't have to think about the footwork.' You can just feel the comfort level. ... He can kind of just play free and natural, and you can certainly sense that out there." 

In 17 regular-season starts in 2024, Nix tossed 29 touchdown passes, more than Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (26 in 16 starts). Combine Nix's increased comfort with his hunger to keep proving himself, and his impressive numbers should keep skyrocketing.

"I haven't done anything up until this point, and I have a lot to prove and show," Nix said at OTAs on May 29. "You don't want to get to year two or go down the road, and all of a sudden you got stuck and you didn't get any better." 

In Week 10 last season, the Chiefs beat the Broncos 16-14 in Kansas City when they blocked a field-goal attempt before time expired. Perhaps Nix will carry Denver to a victory at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day this upcoming season. Signs are pointing toward the 25-year-old QB making a second-year leap.