Bo Nix has a fan in ex-Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer.

“There’s nobody who can coach what Bo does with his natural instincts,” Plummer told The Denver Gazette. “That’s what’s exciting about Bo, what we’ve witnessed. You can’t coach breaking contain and making a play like he has numerous times. That’s Bo making plays. Improv. That’s just pure gift.”

Plummer played 10 NFL seasons, including four in Denver from 2003-06. He led the Broncos in 2005 to the AFC Championship Game. Plummer, 51, is now an advocate for natural healing as the co-founder of Umbo and Mycolove mushroom farm and distributor. He also provides Broncos analysis for Guerilla Sports.

Nix enters his third year as the Broncos starter after leading Denver to the AFC Championship Game last season. Nix quarterbacked the Broncos to a 14-3 record and closed the regular season with 3,931 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. But most of the conversation surrounding Nix this offseason has been centered on his recovery timeline from two ankle surgeries.

“I think Bo has dealt with this in a really good way,” Plummer said. “He’s definitely more patient and better coached than I was. Because at some point, it’s like: ‘There are more issues than my ankle.'”

Plummer discussed how Nix might use the injury to improve his performance in 2026.

“He’s got a wicked strong arm, but you can’t always just rip it in there. You’ve got to feather it in sometimes with some anticipation. I see that as the next progression for him,” Plummer said. “Maybe this injury has given him a chance to really dive into that and see that. You can’t really work on that in the offseason. … It just has to be something that you feel as time goes. I hope that’s the next progression we see from him. Really a patience with the offense. A more patient presence in the pocket that allows him to let go of the ball early and throw guys open.”

The Broncos have ascended from the AFC West basement to division front-runners quickly under the Walton-Penner family ownership group and coach Sean Payton. Plummer is thrilled about the culture change he’s witnessed at Broncos Park.

“A new stadium and a new facility doesn’t mean anything if you have a bunch of turds dressed in uniform trying to play like they’re football players. But that’s changed,” Plummer said. “I go out there and watch these guys, and they love what they’re doing. They’re playing for their colors and their organization. They want to stay here and they want to be a Bronco. That’s exciting to me.”