Bo Nix may be playing for future with Broncos through rest of 2026 season

Chatter regarding the Denver Broncos possibly signing 2024 first-round draft pick Bo Nix to a lucrative contract extension has been replaced by whispers suggesting that head coach Sean Payton could bench Nix in favor of backup Jarrett Stidham.

On Wednesday, NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN explained why Nix may be responsible for "the most intriguing quarterback contract situation for the offseason." 

Bo Nix not what he was before latest injury setback?

"Denver is good enough to keep winning despite Nix showing a limited ceiling," Fowler wrote. "He is a quality starter but is not poised to enter the upper echelon. Confidence appears to be an issue this season, raising questions about what this player-team marriage looks like long term. ...Nix doesn't appear to be the runner he once was. His viability with Denver might hinge on how he plays over the next 11 or so games."

Nix seemingly has regressed coming off the broken ankle he suffered this past January. According to Pro Football Reference, he began Wednesday ranked 30th in the NFL among qualified players with a 38.5 adjusted QBR, 26th with a 79.4 passer rating and 29th with an average of 174.8 passing yards per game. Over the season's first six weeks, he tossed six touchdown passes and three interceptions.

Additionally, Nix has rushed for just 37 yards this season. To compare, he finished the 2025 regular season with 356 rushing yards.

Bo Nix needs to improve his running through the second half of the season

The Broncos are 4-2 heading into their Week 7 matchup at the 2-4 Arizona Cardinals. Rumors about Denver possibly making a quarterback change during the club's Week 10 bye, if not sooner, will likely continue to hover over the Broncos if Nix fails to play well at Arizona's State Farm Stadium.

"I did have someone last week tell me the big difference with Nix was that he's not getting himself out of bad spots with his legs the way he did last season, but that he doesn't look much different otherwise," Graziano added. "But that lack of running is a big deal, and if it doesn't improve, we could be left watching his flaws the rest of the way."