This season Bo Nix could elevate up there in rarefied air. As goes Bo’s season, so goes the Broncos. 

Broncos obsessives should chant “Go Bo Nix … Six.”

The 58^th starting quarterback in franchise history would become only the fourth of the genre to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl and create the Denver MEN’s Club (Craig Morton, Peyton Manning, John Elway and Nix).

If only he weren’t injured, Bo coulda, shoulda, woulda passed and rushed the Broncos to the AFC title last season. He gets a second chance to make a first impression in the NFL championship game this season.

But alleged national experts still don’t hold Nix in Mile High esteem. Among the expectant 32 No. 1 quarterbacks in the league he has an aggregate ranking of 17^th. However, NBC’s Chris Simms, who started one game for the Broncos in 2009 (32-3 defeat), does assess Nix barely in the top half at 16.

The critics must believe Nix hasn’t recovered from the left ankle fracture, with ligament damage, in the final moments of the 33-30 overtime playoff victory against the Bills and The QB Who Got Away, revenging the 2025 post-season blowout in Buffalo. And they think his 25-11 overall record (15-3 last season), first place in the AFC West and 11 game-winning drives doesn’t deserve dynamic dozen evaluation.

Nix, though, is, well, well after ankle surgery and a follow-up procedure to repair bone spurs. He will be Full-Go Bo Tuesday when reporting for training camp.

For help offensively he calls upon a vested veteran starting five in the offensive line, a returning healthy running back in J.K. Dobbins and two young running backs in RJ Harvey, drafted a year ago, and Jonah Coleman, drafted this year.

Added impressively to the Nix mix is remarkable receiver Jaylen Waddle, who has 5,039 yards (373 catches, 26 touchdowns) in five seasons with the Dolphins. He will unite with third-down wonder Courtland Sutton and marvel Marvin Mims. The only issue is the Broncos have seven tight ends, but they have none.

The Broncos need to find a prominent tight end – instead of a Joker who mostly was a joke last season – and a superlative running game.

Therein lies the rub. Coach Sean Payton always has been a passionate advocate of passing. If the running aspect of the offense bogs down early he rushes to judgement and abandons the rush.

However, the 62-year-old Payton has passed the play calling mission to young and new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, former quarterback and quarterback coach. It’s not as if Payton will disappear into his office to meditate, or to the sideline to ruminate. This offense remains his, and Webb is here to provide fresh embellishments and creative ideas.

How about a three-receiver route tree Mike Shanahan and later Manning utilized effectively and fewer flip tosses and more crossing patterns on five-step drops with Nix under center.

Webb and Nix were bench buddies between offensive series, and their relationship was close and tranquil, unlike the occasional discord between Payton and Nix, two strong-willed competitors.

Will, and when, will Sean assume control in a game, particularly during that demanding schedule to open the season. The first six weeks offer three problematic night games, including the opener at Kansas City, and all are against legitimate playoff teams (Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, Chargers and Seahawks). No flunkies or flakes.

The Broncos definitely will be an enhanced team, but they won’t finish 14-3 and set another NFL-record of miraculous and lucky 12 comeback victories. Winning a dozen would be exceptional.

Nix, in his third season at 26, has to be Captain Catalyst.

Bo continuing to win at a 70 percent pace proves prosperity for the Broncos. Already after 2025-26, he has thrown in 34 regular-season games for 7,706 yards and 54 touchdowns, run and scrambled for 786 yards and 9 touchdowns and caught 1 pass for 2 yards and a touchdown. No other quarterback drafted by the Broncos – Tim Tebow, Brian Griese, Tommy Maddox or Paxton Lynch or a myriad of others – approached those numbers in the first two seasons. His weaknesses thus far have been 23 interceptions, 46 sacks and 4 fumbles.

The Broncos’ defense is Super Bowl-worthy.

The offense must produce an offense the defense can be proud of.

Training camp is the start.

And Bo’s back.