The Denver Broncos escaped with a thrilling overtime victory over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, but not everyone is celebrating. Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez believes the win might be masking a growing problem under center.
Speaking on the Thursday Night Football postgame show, Gonzalez suggested that the Broncos need to seriously evaluate whether Bo Nix should remain the starter. His comments came after former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick delivered a scathing critique, calling Nix's recent performances 'almost disrespectful to the quarterback position.'
Gonzalez didn't hold back either. 'If this keeps up, maybe even a good benching (would help),' he said, before floating backup Jarrett Stidham as a potential replacement. The notion of benching a quarterback after a win might seem drastic, but Gonzalez's frustration echoes what many fans and analysts have been feeling as Nix continues to struggle.
Despite the criticism, the Broncos are sitting at 4-2, and some supporters are pushing back against the idea of making a change. Social media was buzzing with defenses of Nix, with one fan warning that benching him could spark a locker room revolt. 'Benching him after a win. Lmao man getting more hate then the QB that actually lost the game,' one user posted on X. Another added, 'Yes. Sit him down. You will eventually lose the defense.' A third countered, '4-2 against the toughest schedule in the NFL. Style points don't get you extra wins. Just win. Bo is fine.'
The stats paint a mixed picture. Nix is completing 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,049 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions through six games. However, he's averaging fewer than 175 passing yards per game and has only surpassed 220 yards once all season. Those numbers are hardly inspiring for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
It's not as if Nix is being overwhelmed by pressure. He's been sacked just eight times and is averaging only four rushing attempts per game, suggesting the offensive line is giving him time. The issue seems to be more about decision-making and accuracy than protection.
But is Stidham really the answer? The backup hasn't thrown a pass in the regular season since 2023 and wasn't particularly impressive in the Broncos' playoff appearance earlier this year. Stidham isn't exactly a proven commodity waiting in the wings.
The Broncos find themselves in a tricky spot. They're winning, but not because of their quarterback. As the criticism of Nix's performances grows louder, the coaching staff will have to weigh the risk of disrupting a winning formula against the potential reward of a spark under center. For now, it seems the team is sticking with what's working, even if it's not pretty.
As the season rolls on, the pressure will only intensify. If Nix continues to struggle, the calls for a change will only get louder. But with a winning record and a defense that's playing well, the Broncos might just be content to grind out ugly wins. After all, in the NFL, a win is a win — even if it comes with a side of controversy.
