It’s going to be a long time before we know the full “sliding doors” impact of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix breaking his ankle in the final moments of an AFC Divisional Round overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.
In the short term, we can say it probably cost the Broncos a spot in the Super Bowl, although whether they or anyone else would have been able to beat the Seattle Seahawks seems pretty far-fetched.
In the upcoming months, we can look forward to Nix having what looks like it’s going to be a complete offseason with his team after an update from general manager George Paton at the annual NFL owners meetings in Phoenix.
“He’s ahead of schedule,’’ Paton told Denver 9News reporter Mike Klis. “He’s running, he’s jumping. Really proud of how he’s attacked rehab. He’s done a great job. He’ll be ready for OTAs.’’
Nix, who had surgery just days after his injury, is headed into a critical Year 3. His coming back that early in the offseason — OTAs traditionally start the 1st week of May — is critical as he begins to establish a rapport with new wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
“Bo Nix is the big winner in the Jaylen Waddle acquisition for the Broncos,” Kodiak Broncos wrote on its official X account on March 18. “Waddle joins an offense that already features Sutton, Franklin, Mims and Bryant. They also brought back JK Dobbins to pair with RJ Harvey. It’s shaping up for Denver to be a contender once again next season.”
Bo Nix’s Injury Sent Shockwaves Through NFL
The Broncos were still in the afterglow of a thrilling, 33-30 overtime win over the Bills in the AFC Divisional Round when the news about Nix hit like a thunderbolt through the football world.
Nix, the team’s leader and the architect of an NFL record 12 comeback wins during the regular season, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in overtime against the Bills and will be out for the rest of the postseason.
“Broncos QB Bo Nix suffered a season-ending broken bone in his ankle during today’s overtime, victory over Buffalo,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “With Bo Nix out for the season, Denver’s starting QB for next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game will be Jarrett Stidham. His backup now will be Sam Ehlinger.”
Nix engineered another game-winning drive in what would prove to be his last time on the football field this season, setting up a 23-yard field goal by Wil Lutz to send the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game, where they lost, 10-7, at home to the New England Patriots with quarterback Jarrett Stidham making his 1st start in 2 years.
Huge Contract Could Be on Tap for Bo Nix
For Nix, no season in his career will be bigger than 2026.
First, he’ll be dealing with coming back from an injury for the 1st time in his career — he made 36 consecutive regular-season and playoff starts for the Broncos before he broke his ankle.
Second, he’ll be playing for what could be the biggest contract in NFL history. Nix is eligible for a contract extension for the 1st time after the 2026 season. If he somehow manages to get the Broncos to the Super Bowl, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that he’ll receive a contract that exceeds the $60 million per year the Dallas Cowboys are paying quarterback Dak Prescott.
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