The Denver Broncos’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles sparked buzz in the NFL world, including one franchise legend delivering strong remarks about quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix has faced heavy scrutiny in his second season, with a 10-win rookie campaign and an eventful offseason for the Broncos leading to heightened expectations. As the Broncos got out to a 1-2 start to the season, Nix faced an onslaught of detractors. They are 2-0 since.
Former Broncos QB John Elway remains staunchly in Nix’s corner and believes in Denver
Broncos Icon Delivers Strong Comments on Bo Nix
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after the 21-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nix and the Broncos’ two-game run includes a win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles in Week 6. Elway believes Nix has “a really tremendous future in this league.
Notably, the win on Sunday was the Broncos’ first in Philadelphia since 1986 with Elway at QB.
“It’s one of those wins that, when you beat the defending champions, especially for the Broncos, who are an up-and-coming team with good youth, a lot of youth,” Elway told USA Today’s Chris Bumbaca on “Sports Seriously” on October 7.
“I think to be able to go into Philadelphia, beat defending champions, I think is just a – it’s almost a signature win for them over the last several years. Because it hasn’t been great. But I think that for the confidence, and the thing that they will gain from this, I think, will be the next step to them creating a very, very good football team.”
In it, Nix completed 61.5% of his passes for 242 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions.
He found Evan Engram for what ended up being the game-winning touchdown, converted a two-point conversion to ex-college teammate Troy Franklin, and led a field goal drive to seal it.
“Sean Payton has done a heck of a job,” Elways said. “He’s a hell of a head football coach, and I think he’s done a hell of a job with Bo and bringing him along the way he’s brought him along. One step at a time, not giving him too much that he can’t handle.”
Broncos Face ‘Tough Situation’ With London Trip
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton in action during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Elway also offered a word of warning for Nix and the Broncos, who are in London to face the New York Jets in Week 6, and they will do it without starting left guard Ben Powers, who is sidelined with a biceps injury. That is not the tricky part, though.
Elway called it a “tough situation,” noting teams he played on did not travel abroad during the regular season, only in the preseason. The Broncos’ icon did cite their early arrival as a positive.
He expressed confidence in Payton, but also warned of a potential letdown.
“What they’re going to have to do is take – they got the Jets, who are obviously struggling right now,” Elway told Bumbaca. “So, they’re going to have to stay focused. Because everybody’s got good football players. I think the most difficult thing will probably be them coming back. Because now they don’t have a bye week. And after they play over there, they gotta come back to play the Giants here at home.”
“They’ve got a tough two-week stretch here, where they’re going to have to make sure their mindset is totally focused on winning football games. Because there’s a lot of different things that – they’re out of their rhythm. You get out of their rhythm when you have to go overseas and do those type things,” Elway said.
“I think Sean and the coaching staff got a lot of experience and have done this before. And, hopefully, they can get through this next two-game stretch and have success in that, and then get back in their rhythm.”
Nix and the Broncos will not have their bye until Week 12.
Four of their next five games are at home. However, that setup gives way to a closing stretch featuring three road games in six tries. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17.
Broncos Have Given Bo Nix a QB’s ‘Best Friend’
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos on field against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Despite their chemistry, Nix and Payton would not be successful without talent on the roster around them. Fortunately for Nix and Payton, Broncos general manager George Paton has “done a heck of a job” with the roster, according to Elway.
“[They have] got a good, solid running game, and then really concentrated on the defense too. And they’re playing great defense,” Elway said. “They talk about receivers being a quarterback’s best friend. But it’s actually the defense. Because if they move out of the end zone, then that gives you as a quarterback, a heck of a lot more opportunities to win football games.”
The Broncos’ defense led the NFL in sacks in 2024, and they lead again entering Week 6.
They are second in scoring defense and fifth overall. Both of those would be improvements over last season, and prized offseason free agent signing Dre Greenlaw has yet to play this season.
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