Bo Nix Gets Strong Words From Broncos Coach Amid Playoff Push

Bo Nix has faced external criticism, but the second-year quarterback has the backing of his teammates and the Denver Broncos coaching staff.

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph made that quite clear.

Joseph did not stop there, though. He also dropped a legendary comparison for Nix, whom the Broncos selected No. 12 overall in the 2024 draft, making him the final of six QBs taken in the cycle’s opening round.

Broncos DC Vance Joseph Compares Bo Nix to John Elway

GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joseph is in his third season as the Broncos’ DC, and his second stint with the organization after serving as head coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. In his time, Joseph saw the Broncos start six different quarterbacks before Nix.

There were several others.

Nix, though, has already stabilized the Broncos in a way not seen since Peyton Manning in 2015, and Joseph sees an even greater legacy for the young QB.

“I’ll say two things about Bo, okay? I think Bo Nix is the Broncos’ future John Elway. He’s gonna be here for a long time. Because he’s built for it. He’s built for it. I promise you that. And No. 2 about Bo Nix: We know on game day, he gonna make a play, right? Because we watch it in practice all summer, all spring. He’s gonna make a play. His skill set, man, he’s gonna make a play eventually,” Joseph Guerillia Sports’ Alfred Williams and Charles Johnson on “Big Al & CJ” on November 24.

“Defensively, offensively, we just play. As a team, we talk about how we’re gonna win each day. And sometimes, it’s strategic of how we win in these games. But we know, end of the day, man, he gonna make a play. Because he is tough and competitive, and he’s smart, and he wants to win every game he plays, and the boys love him.”

Manning is an icon and remains revered in Broncos Country. He ended his NFL career with the organization and his second Super Bowl victory in 2015. Nix led the Broncos to their first 10-win season and playoff berth since then as a rookie.

Elway is the franchise’s greatest legend, retiring in 1998 after back-to-back Super Bowl wins. He spent his entire playing career with the organization, joined the front office in retirement.

He also remains in touch despite leaving his post, including on the Broncos’ future with Nix.

John Elway Gets Honest About Bo Nix

GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos runs a play against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Nix has thrown for 2,421 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions on 61.2% completion this season, leading the Broncos to a 9-2 record before their Week 12 bye. Elway spoke candidly about his feelings on Nix, whom he likes, before the break.

Nix and the Broncos knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs, shaking off another slow start offensively to lead a drive for a game-winning field goal.

Elway believes “age and experience” will help ensure Nix “slows” down quicker.

“I think he’s settling down a little bit. To me, it looks like – for the first part, it looked like he was just moving too quick. Things were moving really, really fast for him,” Elway told the panel on “After The Horn” on November 18. “He’s got all the tools, right?

Elway also spoke about the comparisons to Nix, specifically as the second-year passer leads the Broncos to a potential AFC West crown in Year 2, just as the Hall of Famer did.

“That’s where I think Sean Payton’s done such a great job, too. Especially when you talk about what they did last year, and the year they had last year. And you could see the offense progress over time, and giving him a little bit more, a little more bites all the time. And then, coming into this year – and the good thing about Bo, he played 62 college football games. That is huge, right?” Elway said.

“I just think those two together, with Sean and his philosophy – and Sean, he knows how to win football games. It’s proven this year that it’s – they’re making the plays when they have to make it, and they’re winning the fourth quarter.”

Broncos Are Close-Game Kings

GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on during warm-ups before facing the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last season, Nix and the Broncos went 1-6 in one-score games. This season, they are 7-1 through 11 games and 12 weeks. Elway noted how significant a shift that is for the Broncos as a franchise.

“The previous five or six years, we hadn’t won the fourth quarter ever, and everybody was sitting, waiting for the bad play to happen, right?” Elway said. “The Broncos and their mentality is, ‘We’re going to make a play to win a football game.’ And so, I think – and they’ve got that, and they’ve done it enough.

“When you get that confidence like that, you’re never out of a game.”

Nix has spoken about the difficulty of the Broncos’ needing to rally late and how they want to start faster. He has also remained unapologetic about having his team where they are.

Nix told reporters after defeating the Chiefs that “people are always entitled to their opinion” when it comes to criticism, but that he continues to block it out. He also relayed an anecdote on being in big, close games, saying, “If you’re scared, go to church.”

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