The Denver Broncos will hit the road in Week 5 to take on the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, and one of their coaches dropped a noteworthy take on second-year quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix was the No. 12 overall pick of the 2024 draft, and he had a record-setting season with the Broncos as a rookie.
But Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio sees shades of another QB in Nix.
Eagles DC Vic Fangio Compares Bo Nix to Baker Mayfield
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fangio helped the Eagles boast the No. 1 overall defense and the second-ranked scoring unit in 2024 en route to the Super Bowl. This season, Fangio’s Eagles are 22nd and 15th in those categories, respectively, but remain a threat that Nix and the Broncos cannot overlook.
They certainly are not overlooking Nix.
“He’s a lot like Baker Mayfield. I think he might be Baker’s younger brother. Really good. Really, really good,” Fangio told reporters on September 30.
“He’s a scrambler. He’s a competitor. He’ll throw the ball in tight places. He runs their offense really well. I think Sean’s done a great job bringing him along, and they got their quarterback for the future. They looked long and hard for many years and have got one.”
The Broncos need Nix to avoid the type of mistakes Mayfield endured against the Eagles.
The comparison is noteworthy, given Mayfield rallied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back from a multiple-score deficit against the Eagles in Week 4. The Buccaneers fell short, losing to the Eagles 31-25, but Mayfield clearly left a strong impression on Fangio.
Mayfield, 30, completed 55% of his passes for 289 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in that game.
The Broncos surely hope for a more efficient performance from Nix in Week 5.
Baker Mayfield a Polarizing Comparison for Bo Nix
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field after a loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mayfield was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Browns, 11 slots earlier than the Broncos selected Nix seven classes later. The Buccaneers’ QB was more productive than Nix as a passer in their respective rookie seasons, and in three fewer games.
However, Nix had the edge in rushing production and winning percentage.
Where the comparison gets most interesting, though, is in how Mayfield’s career went after that and how the Broncos hope to avoid a similar fate with Nix, who also has had critical turnovers.
Mayfield is in his third season with the Buccaneers, but they are his fourth NFL team. He spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams between tenures with the Browns and, now, the Buccaneers.
Broncos Can Get Payback Against Vic Fangio
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio looks on before a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Fangio is now in his second season with the Eagles and 25th season as an NFL coach, and he spent three of those in the big chair with the Broncos. After the Broncos, Fangio joined the Miami Dolphins as DC.
It was there that Fangio was part of a lopsided, 70-20 Broncos loss in 2023.
The Broncos still have Vance Joseph in place as DC, just as they did in 2023, and they ranked third in scoring defense and seventh overall last season while leading the NFL in sacks.
Denver leads the NFL in sacks again, with 15 through four weeks. The Broncos also rank second in scoring defense and are 10th overall. Of course, Nix and the Broncos’ offense (ninth overall and 16th in scoring) must also do their job.
A complete reversal of the previous outcome is as unlikely as a repeat performance.
Still, the Broncos can exact some revenge against Fangio, however minor, and despite facing the Eagles and not the Dolphins, with a win in Week 5.
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