Broncos Talk: Is Broncos quarterback Bo Nix deserving of more national respect after a breakout 2025 NFL season?

Paul Klee, sports editor: There’s no doubting Bo Nix’s toughness. Rumor is, Bo makes onions cry. So do you think the Broncos’ unquestioned leader lost a minute of sleep when NFL scouting types left him off a list of the top 17 quarterbacks in the game? That’s right, Mr. Fredrickson. ESPN released its annual quarterback rankings Monday and Nix did not earn enough votes to crack the top 17. Ouch. Brock Purdy got an honorable mention. Same for Baker Mayfield. Draft classmate Caleb Williams even slipped into the top 10. Bo? He joined Daniel Jones and C.J. Stroud as also-rans. Coming off a season in which the Broncos set a record with 12 comeback wins and earned a spot in the AFC Championship Game, does Nix deserve more national respect?

Kyle Fredrickson, Broncos reporter: Count me among the Bo-lievers confused by the national narrative surrounding Nix. What else does he need to prove at this point? Maybe we should ask ESPN’s No. 1-ranked quarterback, Josh Allen. Because Nix outplayed Allen in a divisional round playoff victory in January. I’m not saying that means Nix deserves the top spot. But there is no chance I’m taking 17 starting quarterbacks over him. My guess is that some folks don’t respect his ability to stretch the field. That’s fair criticism. Nix ranked near the bottom of the NFL last year with just 6.4 yards per attempt. But adding wide receiver Jaylen Waddle should help boost that number in 2026. What else am I missing in the case against Nix?

Klee: Well, I’m probably the wrong guy to ask, since I side with the doubters when it comes to the 2026 Broncos. We all remember last season’s comeback kings went 11-2 in one-score games, correct? That’s hardly a sustainable recipe for success, especially against the first-place schedule that opens with six opponents coming off playoff berths. Here’s a hunch: If Nix again leads the Broncos to 15 total wins, the haters and losers vanish and the Broncos quarterback cracks the top 10 on ESPN’s survey. Since you asked, Broncos Country should be thrilled at the disrespect. Whether it’s facing a 26-8 deficit against the New York Giants or his own coach spilling the beans on his injury history, Nix loves a proper challenge. Isn’t this slight a good thing for the Broncos, who still have longer odds to win the AFC West than the Chiefs and Chargers?

Fredrickson: Be careful if you poke the bear. He might poke back. I can’t imagine Nix admitting publicly he cares about the opinions of people outside Broncos headquarters. But those ESPN rankings are yet another chip on his already crowded shoulder. Nix has dealt with the outside noise going back to his days as a five-star rated high school recruit in Alabama. You’re right that another strong season will help silence the critics. Of course, that’s not all on his shoulders, either. The Broncos need better production at running back and tight end to maximize the potential of a Nix-led offense. I’m not sure if J.K. Dobbins and Evan Engram will provide the necessary firepower. Nix still has the opportunity to build on a special 2025 season, especially if two ankle surgeries do not factor into his success in 2026. The good news? Broncos training camp is mere weeks away.