The Denver Broncos escaped Seattle with a 26-20 overtime victory Thursday night, but the celebration in the locker room didn't mask a troubling reality: rookie quarterback Bo Nix turned in a performance that left many, including former NFL signal-caller Ryan Fitzpatrick, absolutely livid.
Despite Denver jumping out to a 14-3 lead and having multiple chances to put the game on ice, Nix struggled mightily. He completed just 17 of 27 passes for a paltry 107 yards with zero touchdowns. The Broncos' offense as a whole managed only 168 total yards, while Seattle racked up 353. It was a display that had Fitzpatrick, now an analyst for Prime Video's Thursday Night Football, fuming during the postgame show.
Fitzpatrick: 'It's Almost Disrespectful'
Fitzpatrick didn't mince words when breaking down Nix's outing. He questioned the rookie's competitiveness and even his commitment to the position.
“Bo Nix is not playing competitively. It’s almost disrespectful to the quarterback position how he’s playing quarterback right now,” Fitzpatrick said. “First of all, the guy doesn’t want to throw the ball. He has no trust from his coach, he calls a screen play on third and eight. Just run up and let the clock keep going. In overtime, he had two chances to be competitive – with one of them being a designed run. Now they’re in the locker room right now, they’re excited. They won. He’s not playing competitive football right now.”
Later, Fitzpatrick doubled down, calling the effort “garbage” and suggesting Nix is taking his NFL opportunity for granted.
“Well, there’s no fire and there’s no passion,” Fitzpatrick continued, via Pro Football Talk. “And that doesn’t mean you’ve got to be yelling at guys on the sideline or inspiring in the huddle. You can do it with your play as well. And I just don’t see it. And I just think that he needs to be sat down and they need to tell him being a quarterback in the NFL is a very special thing. And right now he’s taking it for granted. He is. And there’s a lot of guys that have played this game that watch that game that think, ‘That right there is garbage. That effort is garbage. That is not a quarterback in the NFL. We deserve better.’”
Nix's Response Falls Flat
When asked about the lack of vertical passing, Nix seemed resigned rather than defiant.
“I don’t understand why we can’t really push the ball vertically right now, but defenses are just sitting back there, hanging out. So, we’re just going to keep running the football, hopefully find ways to get more out of it,” Nix told reporters, via Denver Sports.
The numbers over the last two games paint a grim picture: Nix has attempted 54 passes but managed just 230 yards and one touchdown. That's an average of under 4.3 yards per attempt, which is simply not sustainable in today's NFL.
Concerns Mount for Broncos' Offense
This isn't just about one game. The Broncos' offense has looked disjointed all season, and Nix's struggles are raising serious questions about the team's direction. Some are even wondering if a change is needed, though the team has shown no indication of benching their first-round pick. Meanwhile, the schedule doesn't get easier, and the pressure is mounting.
Fitzpatrick's harsh critique echoes a growing sentiment among fans and analysts alike. The Broncos won, but the way they won was far from convincing. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Nix to see if he can silence the critics and prove he belongs. For now, Fitzpatrick's words serve as a stark reminder that in the NFL, effort and passion are non-negotiable.
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