Bo Nix walked into Broncos minicamp this spring and basically told everyone to relax. The quarterback had bone spurs removed from his ankle back in April. And sure, that’s the kind of procedure that could slow down a guy who makes his living extending plays. But Nix isn’t buying the worry.
He told reporters through Troy Renck that his rehab is going fine and that he’s not letting the surgery get in his head. In fact, Nix said this will be the first time in two years he’s felt fully healthy going into a season. That’s a pretty big deal for a quarterback who was playing through pain for a while before finally getting it cleaned up.
Payton isn’t sweating it
Head coach Sean Payton has seen enough of Nix to know what he’s got. And he’s not concerned. Speaking to Zac Stevens, Payton shot down the idea that the ankle injury would change how Nix plays. He specifically mentioned the things that make Nix dangerous.
“Some of his superpowers, his ability to move and not get sacked, find throws. I don’t think any of that will be impacted at all,” Payton said.
The coach added that Nix is ahead of schedule in his recovery. He said the kid’s work ethic is exactly what you’d want. No long-term concerns. Nothing to see here, basically.
The national media still isn’t paying attention
Here’s the thing though. Nix still doesn’t get the respect he probably deserves. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels. Those are the names you hear on every NFL show. Nix? He’s the guy quietly winning games while nobody talks about him.
Last season, he led Denver to a high AFC seed. He made big throws in big moments. He kept drives alive with his legs. And yet the national conversation keeps skipping past him.
Danny Parkins from FOX Sports went on “First Things First” and made the case that people are sleeping on Nix. He pointed to the quarterback’s winning pedigree and the kind of resilience you don’t just coach into somebody. Parkins argued that the Broncos have a guy who can win them a playoff game, and it’s weird that more people aren’t talking about it.
Maybe that changes this year. Payton thinks so. Nix thinks so. And if the ankle really is as healed as they say, Denver could be a problem in the AFC again.
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