Bo Nix must “clean up” a few of the “wrinkles” in his game, and fast, if the Denver Broncos are going to reach their ceiling this season, according to The Denver Post’s Troy Renck. But Week 1 showed that the second-year quarterback is a work in progress.
Nix is coming off a history-making, 10-win season in which he led the Broncos to their first playoff berth since 2015.
Still, Renck believes Nix should “stop chasing perfection and focus on precision.”
Bo Nix ‘Alarm’ Primed to Go Off
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up before the game against the Tennessee Titans.
Renck posed questions about whether it was time to sound the “Bo Nix alarm” or “worry” over the Broncos’ QB’s quiet summer and, even worse, subpar track record in September games, saying the No. 12 pick of the 2024 draft “looked like a baby giraffe on roller skates.”
Now, “Nix isn’t exactly inspiring confidence.”
Renck noted that it was only the first week of the season, but the Broncos’ Week 2 matchup could prove far more telling than originally expected.
“We have not reached the ‘everyone freak out stage.’ Not yet. But with games on the horizon against the Chargers and Bengals, it will be time to worry if Nix plays poorly this week,” Renck wrote on September 10.
“My concern is one that surfaced over the summer. He never caught fire in June, failed to wow in training camp, save for a few scrimmage series against the 49ers and Cardinals, and remained uneven in two preseason games. His play has been a mirror of the offense. There are glimpses of improvement that are quickly overshadowed by long bouts of ineffectiveness.”
Nix completed 62.5% of his passes for 176 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions against the Tennessee Titans.
Renck urged him to be “smarter” and “better prepared,” citing confidence in the QB’s work ethic.
Bo Nix Adds to ‘Precarious’ Situation for Colts
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after defeating the Tennessee TItans.
Nix could be in position for a soft landing as the Broncos take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 on the road.
“Pretty precarious situation at cornerback for the Colts. No. 1 corner Charvarius Ward is in concussion protocol and backup Jaylon Jones will ‘be out for a while’ with a hamstring injury, according to coach Shane Steichen,” ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported in a post on X on September 10.
“Next in line would be Mekhi Blackmon, who the Colts got in a trade with Minnesota last month. Also in the mix would be undrafted free agent Johnathan Edwards, who had a strong camp and came out of nowhere to make the final roster.”
As of September 11, the Colts’ CB situation remained murky at best.
If Nix and the Broncos’ offense want to jumpstart their offense, a matchup against a depleted Colts secondary could be just what hte doctor ordered.
Bo Nix Gets ‘Great News’ About Evan Engram
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos runs after catching a pass against the Arizona Cardinals.
Nix needs his playmakers even if the Broncos face a Colts team missing multiple players on defense, and the Broncos’ second injury report of the week offered “great news” in that regard, according to DNVR’s Zac Stevens.
Tight end Evan Engram left the Broncos’ Week 1 win over the Titans with a calf injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, offering the first positive sign.
On Thursday, Engram upgraded to full participation.
Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers’ return from a one-day absence, and linebacker Alex Singleton’s full participation despite a fractured thumb are also encouraging, as is tight end Nate Adkins getting in a limited session.
The dour note is that linebacker Dre Greenlaw remains sidelined with a quad injury. Still, Nix’s Broncos are trending in the right direction health-wise heading into the Colts game.
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