Broncos Notes: Nix, Free Agency, Dobbins, Strnad, Von
The latest reporting on Broncos quarterback Bo Nix indicated he will be medically cleared by the time OTAs open in May. However, Denver head coach Sean Payton’s comments on Nix’s fractured ankle led to some consternation among the team’s fanbase.
“What was found was a condition that was predisposed where they always find a little bit more when they go in and it wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when,” Payton said. “When you look at the play, the surgeon said this was going to happen sooner than later.”
Payton’s use of the word “predisposed” created the belief that Nix may be more susceptible than most to this type of injury, particularly since the soon-to-be 26-year-old has undergone two prior surgeries on the same ankle. Nix himself subsequently refuted that notion.
According to Nix, there is “nothing predisposed” in his ankle, and he said there is no concern that the ankle will impact him in the future (via Luca Evans of the Denver Post). He went on to say that Payton’s statement may have been misinterpreted, and that he does not have a longstanding or chronic issue. Rather, a source tells Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post that in this case, the “predisposition” simply meant that a fracture had already started to develop in Nix’s ankle before it reached the breaking point in the waning stages of the Broncos’ divisional-round victory over the Bills.
Nix also pointed out that, counting his last two seasons in college, he had played in roughly 60 straight games before he was forced to miss last week’s AFC Championship Game. That supports his belief that his durability will not be an issue going forward.
Only time will tell, but in the meantime, the Broncos have now turned their attention to the offseason and readying themselves for another playoff run. At present, Denver is currently in the middle of the pack in terms of projected 2026 cap room ($28.5MM, per OverTheCap.com). As Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette relays, CEO Greg Penner said his club will be “opportunistically aggressive” in free agency, and while Penner did not offer specifics, it is fair to expect a team with a rookie-contract quarterback under center to be an active buyer.
Although the Broncos finished second in the NFL with 37 drops in 2025, both Payton and GM George Paton indicated they are happy with their collection of wide receivers (via Evans). That group is fronted by veteran stalwart Courtland Sutton and otherwise includes promising but largely unproven talent like Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims. Franklin was unable to play in the AFCCG because of a hamstring injury, and Bryant left the game early due to a hamstring malady of his own. That left backup signal-caller Jarrett Stidham with midseason pickups Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Elijah Moore as his top WRs behind Sutton, and the receiving corps dropped three passes in the contest.
That said, Payton believes the issue is one of technique, not talent, and he thinks an increased emphasis on the proper way to catch a football will make a meaningful difference. Paton likewise suggests the proper pass-catching personnel is in place, and he does not believe the receivers who were available at the 2025 trade deadline would have moved the needle a great deal.
However, it does appear the running back depth chart could get some attention. No stranger to injured reserve, J.K. Dobbins was enjoying a strong first year in Denver until a Lisfranc injury cut his campaign short after 10 games. He had posted a 5.0-YPC average and four touchdowns on 153 carries prior to the injury, but rookie RJ Harvey averaged just 3.3 yards per carry after taking over RB1 duties. The club did not rush for more than 80 yards in either of its two postseason contests and did not average four or more yards per carry in six of its final nine games of the year.
Evans suggests the team could opt to bring back Dobbins – who has expressed a desire to return – or look to the draft for RB reinforcements. One way or another, Payton acknowledged that improvement in the running game will be a top agenda item.
Denver will also have to sort out its inside linebacker situation, as both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are eligible for free agency. Strnad played exclusively on special teams over the 2022-23 seasons but participated in over half of the Broncos’ defensive snaps in each of the last two years due to injuries to other players in the LB room. He played well in 2025, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 25th out of 88 qualified ‘backers. He believes he has proven his worth as a starter and is therefore seeking a multiyear contract that would give him a starting opportunity (via Tomasson).
Strnad, 29, says he would like to remain in Denver, but he acknowledges he may have to seek a new employer if the team elects to retain Singleton, who recently turned 32. Dre Greenlaw, who signed a three-year deal with the Broncos last offseason, will occupy one of the starting ILB spots.
If he has it his way, Von Miller will return to the Broncos to perhaps put a bow on his Hall of Fame career. Now 36 (37 in March), Miller was selected by Denver with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 draft and remained with the club until the trade deadline of the 2021 season, when he was dealt to the Rams. During his Mile High tenure, he racked up 110.5 sacks, three First Team All-Pro nods, eight Pro Bowl bids, and a Super Bowl ring (he was also named MVP of Super Bowl 50). While he is far removed from his prime, he quietly recorded nine sacks in a rotational role for the Commanders in 2025, thus proving he still has something to offer to a team’s pass-rushing contingent.
Miller reached out to Paton last year to discuss a possible reunion, though he knew the presence of fellow pass rushers Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto would make a Denver contract unlikely. Paton confirmed as much, and while Cooper and Bonitto are still on the roster and attached to big-money deals, Miller is making another plea.
In a recent episode of his Free Range podcast, Miller said, “[a]fter the season, y’all make room for me over there with the Denver Broncos. I would love to be a Denver Bronco next season. … Let’s just rock out, man. Me, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto. Like bro, why not? I had nine sacks… I led probably 20 teams in the NFL in sacks this season” (via Will Petersen of DenverSports.com).
Given the contract statuses of Cooper and Bonitto, Paton may be no more willing to bring Miller back into the fold than he was last year. Miller nonetheless should get an opportunity somewhere, and he will have a chance to leapfrog several more players on the all-time official sacks list. His 138.5 career sacks currently put him in ninth place in the regard, behind Terrell Suggs (139.0), Jason Taylor (139.5), and Michael Strahan (141.5).
The Broncos’ offseason business also included a reshaping of their coaching staff. In addition to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, WRs coach Keary Colbert received his walking papers, as ESPN’s Jeff Legwold reported (which is perhaps no surprise in light of Payton’s comments on the need for his wideouts to improve their technique). The team also fired CBs coach Addison Lynch.
Denver also lost senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael Jr. and defensive pass-game coordinator Jim Leonhard to the Bills, with whom they will serve as offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, respectively. Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb is in line for a promotion to OC to replace Lombardi.
Bo Nix Expected To Return By OTAs
While a blinding snowstorm ground the AFC championship game to a halt, the Broncos’ offense largely struggled in a 10-7 loss to the Patriots. A “what if?” component loomed after Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle late in Denver’s divisional-round win over Buffalo, as the Broncos were unable to reach Super Bowl LX with Jarrett Stidham at the helm.
Stidham could be needed for some more QB1 reps in a few months, as Nix rehabs from ankle surgery. But it is quite possible the Broncos’ two-year starter returns for OTAs. Sean Payton said (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) Nix’s surgery went well, and the three-year Denver HC expects his top quarterback to be ready by the time OTAs begin in late May, per 9News’ Mike Klis. This recovery timeline matches up with a weekend assessment from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who pegged a 12-week rehab timetable.
Nix suffered a broken ankle on a designed run during the Broncos’ game-winning overtime drive against the Bills. Payton quickly ruled him out for the season postgame. Although Nix had not missed an NFL game due to injury and holds the record for most Division I-FBS starts by a QB (61), he has experienced ankle trouble at multiple points in the past. Nix has undergone two prior surgeries on his injured ankle, Payton said, adding his QB
“What was found was a condition that was predisposed where they always find a little bit more when they go in and it wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when,’’ Payton said of Nix suffering an ankle injury. “When you look at the play, the surgeon said this was going to happen sooner than later.”
This would certainly invite questions about Nix’s durability moving forward. The Broncos have used the former Auburn and Oregon signal-caller as a runner frequently; he carried the ball a season-high 12 times against the Bills and 83 times during the regular season. Nix attempted 92 runs as a rookie.
Neither Payton nor CEO Greg Penner expressed any reservations Nix would become a health risk, with the latter indicating (via the Denver Post’s Troy Renck) he has “zero concerns” about the QB’s ankle being a recurring health issue moving forward. Schefter also indicated doctors are not concerned about Nix’s ankle trouble long term. This break occurred in a different spot compared to two prior breaks — one in high school and another in college. Still, ankle issues are piling up for the passer.
Playing well in the Broncos’ biggest games this season, Nix has now undergone two ankle surgeries since entering the NFL. He also dealt with a transverse process fracture in his back. The previous ankle surgery — performed after last season — addressed an issue that nagged the QB at the Combine and during his rookie slate. It is obviously notable a more serious ankle malady occurred to end his second NFL season, and it will be worth monitoring moving forward in Denver. Stidham’s two-year, $12MM contract runs through the 2026 season.
The Broncos are entering a pivotal offseason, as they will be able to build a roster around Nix’s rookie contract without the constraints the Russell Wilson dead cap albatross brought. Wilson’s $84.6MM dead money charge was spread over the 2024 and ’25 Broncos payrolls, but it is now off the books. After Nix established himself as a promising starter over the past two years, 2027 extension talks will be expected. His health in 2026, however, will be a chapter to follow ahead of that point.
Broncos Activate C Luke Wattenberg From IR; RB J.K. Dobbins Ruled Out
After losing him for the final couple weeks of the regular season and missing him in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Broncos have activated starting center Luke Wattenberg off their injured reserve in time for tomorrow’s Conference Championship. In a corresponding move, the team placed quarterback Bo Nix on IR following his season-ending ankle injury. 
After playing every snap of the season through 15 games for the Broncos, Wattenberg appeared on the injury report leading into Week 17 with a shoulder issue. Ultimately, it was determined that he would need to be placed on IR with the possibility that he may be able to make a return at about this point of the playoffs.
Denver turned to backup center Alex Forsyth, a third-year lineman taken out of the seventh round from Oregon, to take over in Wattenberg’s absence. Forsyth had previous subbed in as a starter for four games that Wattenberg missed in 2024, as well. In his role as the backup center, Forsyth ended up having some injury issues himself. In both his Week 18 and Divisional Round starts, third-string center Sam Mustipher was tasked with filling in for a couple snaps in place of Forsyth.
Now Wattenberg returns to close out the season for the Broncos, who are limping along at this point after the injury to Nix. The team is also without veteran running back J.K. Dobbins, who was officially ruled out yesterday and will remain on IR, per Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette. Additionally, second-leading wide receiver Troy Franklin seems to be trending in the wrong direction as he attempts to work through a hamstring injury.
As a result, the Broncos are utilizing their two standard gameday practice squad elevations to call up wide receivers Michael Bandy and Elijah Moore for Sunday’s game. Moore was called up last week, as well, but has still yet to make his Broncos debut. According to Tomasson, Moore was aware that he wouldn’t be playing last week and that the elevation was just a way of rewarding him with a full game check. Franklin’s hamstring issue opens the door, though, to some potential playing time for taxi squad pass catchers.
Though the offense isn’t at 100 percent, it’s the Broncos defense that’s gotten them this far. They’ll need that side of the ball to hold off the visiting Patriots enough to allow for backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, rookie running back RJ Harvey, and the rest of the offense to find success at this most crucial point of the season.
Broncos QB Bo Nix To Undergo Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
The Broncos pulled off an overtime win on Saturday to advance to the AFC title game. They will be without their quarterback for the remainder of the postseason, however.
During his post-game press conference, head coach Sean Payton announced (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) Bo Nix broke a bone in his ankle during Denver’s win over Buffalo. Surgery will be required as a result. Nix will not be able to return in time for next week’s contest or (if applicable) the Super Bowl.
Payton specified Nix’s injury occurred on the second-to-last play in overtime. It was during that sequence that a Tre’Davious White pass interference penalty set the Broncos up deep in Bills territory. Nix took a knee on the ensuing first down to help line up Wil Lutz‘s game-winning field goal. Denver is set to host the AFC championship game next week as a result of the win, but the team will now be forced to play that contest without its QB1 of the past two seasons.
Nix will undergo surgery on Tuesday. In the meantime, Denver will prepare for an unexpected quarterback situation in the wake of today’s stunning development. Per Payton, Jarrett Stidham will start next week while Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup. Stidham logged a grand total of one snap during the 2025 season (a kneeldown in October). He will now be tasked with leading the Broncos’ offense as part of their bid to return to the Super Bowl.
Denver managed to win a back-and-forth affair during the team’s playoff debut. The Bills committed five turnovers but still managed to force overtime thanks to a last-minute field goal drive at the end of regulation. The Bronco’s offense was hot and cold throughout the day, but prior to Buffalo’s final fourth quarter possession Nix led an impressive go-ahead touchdown drive. The second-year passer was of course an important figure in Denver’s ability to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC and his absence will be a major storyline leading up to next week.
Coming out of college, Nix faced questions about his ceiling at the NFL level. The Auburn/Oregon product drew strong reviews early and often in the pre-draft process from Payton, however. Nix ultimately came off the board 12th overall in the 2024 draft, making him one of a record six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the event. Denver’s playoff drought came to an end last season, due in large part to Nix’s play as a full-time starter.
The 2025 campaign saw Nix, 25, produce similar numbers to his rookie season. Nevertheless, Denver managed to post a 14-3 record while enjoying strong defensive showings. Vance Joseph‘s unit did not deliver a strong performance (takeaways aside) today, but it will be heavily leaned on in the AFC title game. Stidham has been with the Broncos since Payton’s arrival in 2023, but he has made just two starts since then. His next will come at a critical time to say the least, with the Broncos seeking their first Super Bowl appearance since winning it 10 years ago.
The Patriots will host the Texans tomorrow in the AFC’s other divisional round matchup. The winner will be on the road no matter what, but either New England or Houston will spend next week preparing to face Stidham rather than Nix. This will create a highly unusual setup with the conference championship on the line.
Broncos Notes: Nix, Contracts, Ehlinger, LBs
While the Broncos have a rookie-QB salary headlining their roster, they are still not out of the woods on the Russell Wilson contract. The 2022 trade/extension mistake — which the NFLPA grievance shed more light on — still has Bo Nix‘s predecessor on the Broncos’ cap sheet for $32MM. This has influenced how the Broncos have structured contracts and approached acquisitions.
As ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold notes, the Saints had 11 Sean Payton-era draft classes in which they chose fewer than seven rookies. The Broncos grabbed seven in 2024 and ’25. This was by design, as Legwold indicates the Wilson release influenced the Broncos to pivot from the veteran-heavy roster constructions Payton preferred in New Orleans. Denver did enjoy a more notable free agency period this year than last, signing the likes of Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Evan Engram. But the team also minimized its usage of void years. While Denver added a void year to Patrick Surtain‘s extension to help with 2025 cap space, the cap-manipulating tactic did not surface in Zach Allen‘s four-year, $104MM deal.
Void years savants, the Saints continue to navigate historic cap issues each offseason. The Broncos began their Payton years by using this route regularly — via the Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers and Garett Bolles deals. Even Courtland Sutton‘s extension includes two dummy years, but a source told Legwold Broncos ownership seems to have an influence in this matter. Payton’s Saints past injects some “prove it” vibes to any notions of a stripes change regarding cost conservation, but many in the league noticed some changes this offseason.
It will be interesting to see if more comes from CEO Greg Penner regarding contract structure in the near future. Here is the latest out of Denver:
- The Nix pick drew reach labels last year, but Payton helped coax a strong rookie season from the No. 12 overall selection. When the Broncos assembled their 2024 QB big board, they ranked Nix behind only Jayden Daniels, per Legwold. Payton’s Nix infatuation has been well chronicled, and it is certainly interesting the Broncos appear to have ranked the polarizing Oregon prospect above no-doubt No. 1 Caleb Williams. We are still far too early in this quarterback class’ run to establish a clear hierarchy. This year, when seven 2024 QB draftees (counting the Saints’ Spencer Rattler) will start in Week 1, will provide more evidence on each second-year QB talent.
- Behind Nix and Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger resides on Denver’s practice squad. Ehlinger is believed to have received two active-roster invites following his Broncos release, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes. They were each viewed as contending teams, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Considering the gulf between veteran-minimum money and practice squad payouts, Ehlinger’s decision is interesting. The Broncos can up his rate via gameday elevations or a potential signing off the practice squad in-season.
- Denver will count on two starters recovering from at linebacker, in Greenlaw and Alex Singleton. Greenlaw, who suffered an Achilles tear in Super Bowl LVIII and missed most of last season, also was down due to multiple injuries this offseason. Payton pointed to (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) pitch counts for the two LBs early in the season. The Broncos re-signed Justin Strnad, Singleton’s primary sub after the starter’s Week 3 ACL tear, and kept rookie UDFA Karene Reid as backups. Those two may see more time earlier, as Greenlaw and Singleton round into form.
- Tight end Nate Adkins remains on the Broncos’ 53-man roster, rather than being stashed as an IR-return player, after undergoing tightrope surgery to address a high ankle sprain. Adam Prentice is the current Denver fullback, but when Atkins returns, Tomasson adds the team is considering sliding him to a fullback role. Adkins is one of four Broncos TEs, joining Engram, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.
- Four RBs (J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie) are on the active roster, and Tomasson indicates the team could circle back to Blake Watson. The Broncos reached an injury settlement with the second-year UDFA after he suffered a preseason PCL strain. They want him back on the P-squad, per Tomasson, who notes it is a three-week injury settlement. No deal can commence until that time passes.
Broncos Notes: Sutton, Williams, Nix, Staff
Courtland Sutton and his agent have let the Broncos know he will not play on the final year of this contract, which calls for a $13.5MM base salary. That amount will not become guaranteed until just before Week 1. The Broncos are preparing eventual Sutton extension talks, and a potential price range has circulated. A rumor that emerged earlier this offseason pointed to a deal worth upwards of $25MM per year, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline writes. This would mark a significant raise for Sutton, who signed a $15MM-AAV extension in 2021.
A $25MM AAV would place Sutton in a tie for 11th among receivers. That might be a bit lofty for a two-time 1,000-yard going into an age-30 season, but the cap continues to spike and the Broncos relied on him to both coax improved play from Russell Wilson (in 2023) and quick development from Bo Nix (2024). Sutton finished with 1,081 receiving yards last season and has caught 18 TD passes over the past two. A $25MM-per-year deal would put Sutton ahead of emerging Texans standout Nico Collins while matching him with DeVonta Smith. It would stand to reason the Broncos would aim to have his third contract come in lower than $25MM on average, but that number emerging early is interesting.
Here is the latest out of Denver:
- Sean Payton confirmed at the Combine (via the Denver Post’s Troy Renck) running back and tight end will be priorities soon; the third-year Broncos HC mentioned this during a Kay Adams interview earlier this month as well. Denver rosters little of note at tight end, having seen its Greg Dulcich miss prove costly ahead of an in-season cut, but does return Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime in the backfield. Javonte Williams wants to stay, but recent rumors had the former second-rounder more likely to depart. George Paton said (via DenverSports.com) there is “a chance” Williams stays, noting that the once-productive back will be another year removed from the ACL and LCL tears he sustained in October 2022. Williams has not been the same player since that malady, however, his return would limit the Broncos from a potential upgrade — particularly a player who could be the coveted “joker” performer Payton regularly mentions.
- Although Nix dealt with a transverse process fracture, the QB’s back was not the area his recent surgery addressed. Rather, an ankle procedure took place, 9News’ Mike Klis adds. Nix skipped the Pro Bowl Games, as an alternate invitee, to deal with an issue that nagged him before last season. It affected him at the 2024 Combine, per Renck, who notes the Oregon prospect was dealing with turf toe at that time. That explains why Nix threw at the event but did not run the 40-yard dash. The Broncos benefited from the QB’s mobility last season, and he may be in better form in Year 2 after this surgery.
- Vacillating between edge rusher and inside linebacker during his career, Drew Sanders will be focusing on the latter area in his third season. Payton said (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) he considers the 2023 third-round pick an ILB moving forward. After suffering an Achilles tear last spring, the Arkansas alum will be in line to help a Broncos team that has regular LBs Cody Barton and Justin Strnad due for free agency.
- Sanders’ former position coach has run into some trouble, however. Broncos OLBs coach Michael Wilhoite was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault in connection with an incident at the Denver International Airport on Sunday, Klis reports. A Denver police officer working on assignment told Wilhoite he could not leave his car unattended at a departure terminal. After allegedly cursing at the officer, Wilhoite bumped his chest into him. After the officer is alleged to have pushed Wilhoite, the former linebacker is accused of punching him in the face. The officer then used his taser, but Wilhoite still drove off before being apprehended soon after. Wilhoite, 38, has been released on bail. A former Saints assistant, Wilhoite has coached the Broncos’ OLBs for two seasons.
AFC West Notes: Raiders, Bolts, Broncos, Nix
The brain drain in Denver continues. Losing high-ranking exec Darren Mougey to the Jets, the Broncos have also seen two Sean Payton staffers (John Morton, Declan Doyle) become OCs elsewhere — Detroit, Chicago. They will now see one of their front office staffers join a division rival. The Raiders hired Mark Thewes as their senior VP of football operations Tuesday. Thewes, 48, will reunite with John Spytek, his coworker in Denver during part of the 2010s. Coming to the Broncos back when Josh McDaniels was hired as HC, Thewes lasted through several regimes, joining Mougey in that regard. Despite McDaniels’ quick dismissal, the Broncos retained his former high school teammate. McDaniels’ quick Las Vegas ouster notwithstanding, he will join Spytek, Tom Brady and Pete Carroll among the Raiders’ bigwigs.
Thewes follows David Shaw out of Denver’s front office; Shaw is returning to coaching, being set to join Morton in Detroit. Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- The Raiders are retaining DC Patrick Graham and D-line coach Rob Leonard, but offensive staffers are departing. Running backs coach Cadillac Williams, wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett and assistant QBs coach Fred Walker are out, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Additionally, linebackers coach Mike Caldwell and cornerbacks coach Ricky Manning Jr. will not be back. This comes a year after the Jaguars fired Caldwell as DC. Williams joined the Raiders’ staff last year, while Bennett’s tenure stretched back to Jon Gruden‘s 2018 return. Formerly the Packers’ OC, the ex-NFL running back coached Raiders receivers under Gruden, McDaniels and Antonio Pierce. He has been an NFL staffer since 2005. Caldwell was part of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl-winning staff, overlapping with Brady and Spytek, making it a bit more interesting he will not be asked back.
- Las Vegas had a name in mind to replace Bennett, but a division rival will not allow it. The Chargers blocked a Raiders request to meet with Sanjay Lal, Fowler adds. Jim Harbaugh hired Lal as his WRs coach last year, and the team is intent on keeping the veteran position coach. Lal was on Carroll’s staff as an offensive assistant in 2020; because he is still under contract with the Bolts, they can block any lateral move.
- Elsewhere on the Chargers’ staff, they will lose safeties coach Chris O’Leary to the college ranks. Western Michigan is hiring O’Leary as its DC, ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel reports. O’Leary had been safeties coach at Notre Dame from 2021-23.
- Bo Nix passed on a Pro Bowl Games invite, as an alternate, due to a cleanup procedure, 9News’ Mike Klis notes. It is not known what issue this operation will address, but it does not appear Nix is in much danger of missing the Broncos‘ offseason program. Nix played through a transverse process fracture in his back during the season. Any type of back surgery would certainly be notable for the impressive rookie QB, so it will be interesting to learn what exactly will be addressed via this cleanup.
- Asante Samuel Jr. missed 13 games this season, slowing his momentum in a contract year. Samuel said he dealt with “stinger symptoms,” via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper (subscription required). The second-generation NFL corner said he has dealt with these symptoms throughout his career, and a flareup occurred during a practice before Week 1. Another issue cropped up before Week 6, leading to the shutdown. Samuel said he should be fine for offseason work, though it is not certain where that work will be. Playing outside and in the slot for Los Angeles, Samuel said he wants to re-sign. The 47-game Chargers starter joins Kristian Fulton in being a free agent-to-be at CB from this secondary.
Bo Nix Played Through Back Fracture; DT D.J. Jones Wants To Stay With Broncos
Although Bo Nix and Troy Franklin became the first rookies to connect on a playoff touchdown pass, the Bills eventually proved far too much for a Broncos team that came into the season with low expectations. Nix played the lead role in changing the perception of Sean Payton‘s team, and he will be the centerpiece player come 2025.
As Nix made a surprise entrance into Offensive Rookie of the Year conversations, he played through an injury more serious than the team let on. While Nix had appeared on the Broncos’ injury report with a back issue, the No. 12 overall pick since revealed (via 9News’ Mike Klis) he sustained a transverse process fracture during Denver’s Week 12 win in Las Vegas.
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Nix appeared on the Broncos’ injury report ahead of their Week 13 game, before indicating the bye week helped this along. He did not appear on Denver’s injury report for the rest of the season, starting all 17 games. Nix led his rookie class in passing yards (3,775) while adding 430 on the ground. The Oregon product’s 29 touchdown passes rank behind only Justin Herbert in NFL history for TD tosses by a rookie. After needing to beat out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, Nix will enter the offseason as an ascending passer after powering the Broncos to their first playoff game since Super Bowl 50.
Despite Nix being tied to a rookie contract, the Broncos do not have as much flexibility as teams traditionally do in this spot. Nix is tied to his rookie deal through at least 2026, but the Broncos’ Russell Wilson release will affect their cap sheet through 2025. Denver opted to take on the higher dead money sum ($53MM) of Wilson’s record-smashing cap penalty in 2024, but $30MM-plus is still due in 2025. That will negate some of the savings the Broncos would have reaped from Nix’s rookie-scale contract, thus leading to some decisions coming soon. Not set to carry over much money from this year, the Broncos nevertheless are projected to possess more than $48MM in cap space — a mid-pack number for 2025.
In good shape in terms of starters under contract, the Broncos do have a few key players unsigned. Nose tackle D.J. Jones joins Javonte Williams and linebacker Cody Barton as free agents-to-be on this roster. While the Broncos did well to extend a few players over the past several months — Patrick Surtain, Quinn Meinerz, Garett Bolles, Jonathon Cooper — they will have some holes to fill soon. Jones, however, does want to stay in Denver, indicating (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) he “would love” to re-sign. Ditto Barton, who played out a one-year, $2.5MM deal.
Jones, who will turn 30 on Sunday, started every game he played on a three-year, $30MM contract. Denver has All-Pro Zach Allen and 2024 trade pickup John Franklin-Myers tied to team-friendly deals, though Jones helped the team’s run defense considerably. ESPN’s run stop win rate placed Jones second among D-tackles this season, and the ex-49ers sixth-round pick will be in position to fetch a decent third contract soon.
Playing without Alex Singleton for much of the season, the Broncos relied on Barton as a three-down presence despite the ex-Seahawk draftee needing to win a preseason competition. He has now worked as a three-down player for three teams in three years, moving from the Seahawks to the Commanders to the Broncos. Singleton, 31, remains under contract for 2025 but is coming off an ACL tear. Pro Football Focus ranked Barton 45th among off-ball ‘backers. While the six-year vet could be in line for a slight raise come March, the Broncos may be interested in retaining him due to Singleton’s age and injury status.
Broncos Name Bo Nix Starting QB
Sean Payton has closed the book on his quarterback competition. As expected, Bo Nix will take the reins in Week 1 against the Seahawks. After solid efforts in back-to-back preseason games, the first-round pick can begin preparing with the starters.
Nix will become the first Broncos rookie QB to start in Week 1 since John Elway in 1983. The conversation will soon shift to a Jarrett Stidham-or-Zach Wilson decision, though the prospect of Denver keeping all three on its 53-man roster has come up as well.
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This situation has trended toward Nix for a while. A midsummer report pointed to this being the Oregon product’s job to lose, and considering the Broncos drafted a player who set a Division I-FBS record for QB starts (61), it would have surprised if the prospect was not ready to go immediately. Nix impressed in preseason outings against the Colts and Packers, moving the offense toward points on almost every drive he led.
Regularly connecting with Tim Patrick against Green Bay, Nix went 8-for-9 for 80 yards against the Packers’ collection of second-stringers Sunday. Nix led two scoring drives, capping the second with a TD toss to Patrick. In Indianapolis, Nix was 15-for-21 for 125 yards and a touchdown. The rookie, who rushed for 14 touchdowns in 2022 at Oregon, displayed some skills on the ground as well. Payton started Stidham in Indianapolis but gave Nix far more time. Wilson entered third in each game and had not been viewed as a serious contender, even as Payton has praised the former No. 2 overall pick.
Nix joins Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams among this year’s first-round QB sextet to be named a Week 1 starter. The Patriots have not determined if Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett will receive the call, though the veteran has long been viewed as the frontrunner. The other two passers chosen in Round 1 will not start to open seasons, with Michael Penix Jr. set to wait behind Kirk Cousins and J.J. McCarthy undergoing knee surgery that will knock him out for the season.
Payton raved about Nix’s readiness and fit in his offense this offseason, and the rookie consistently made good decisions during his preseason outings. The Broncos were 6-for-7 in scoring drives with Nix taking snaps, and the 6-foot-2 passer threw two short TD passes. Payton informed his trio of QBs after practice Wednesday. Nix is coming off a dominant season at Oregon, having thrown 45 TD passes and three INTs. Though Nix set a Division I-FBS completion percentage record (77.8%), the Broncos attempt to filter out his shorter throws to determine a better prospect value. Payton was satisfied with the result.
This will set up an interesting decision for the Broncos, as Stidham is in his second year in Payton’s system while Wilson offers more upside. With that upside, of course, comes a history of erratic play with the Jets — to the point the team benched him three times and traded him for a low-end return.
The Broncos would save $5MM by releasing Stidham, who is tied to a two-year, $10MM contract. That deal includes just $1MM in remaining guarantees; a Wilson cut would not create any cap savings. Waiving Wilson would cost Denver $2.7MM, thanks to the salary split the Broncos and Jets agreed to in April. The Broncos chose Zach Wilson as somewhat of a contingency plan, with the trade finalized days before the draft. Following the Russell Wilson debacle, the Broncos were always expected to draft a QB. And Nix-to-Denver rumblings began in February, with Payton guiding a smokescreen effort.
Six-plus months later, Nix is in position to stake his claim to being a long-term Denver starter. The Broncos have endured a maddening run of missteps trying to replace Peyton Manning. This has included some trade misses (Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater) and draft shortcomings (Paxton Lynch, Drew Lock).
Payton will be staking his post-New Orleans reputation on Nix, which would have made it borderline shocking if he went with one of the vets early. This will also be new territory for the Super Bowl-winning HC, who has only coached veteran starters (save for a COVID-19-induced Ian Book outing). The Broncos, who are dealing with Russell Wilson’s record-smashing dead money hit for two years, will need Nix to come through as a cost-controlled solution.
Bo Nix Moving Toward Broncos’ Starting Job; Zach Wilson Gaining Ground?
AUGUST 19: In the wake of another impressive Nix preseason performance on Sunday, Payton declined to confirm he will get the nod for Week 1. He did indicate (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk) he was impressed by Nix’s showing, but no official announcement has been made regarding a starter yet. Both Wilson and Stidham led scoring drives against the Packers, so Denver’s QB depth chart remains uncertain at this point.
AUGUST 16: Jarrett Stidham started the Broncos’ preseason opener, and Zach Wilson remains on the roster. But Bo Nix has long been expected to take over at some point fairly early in the season. That point may now be Week 1.
Rumblings about Nix usurping Stidham to take the reins from the jump have emerged, and the Denver Post’s Troy Renck now offers that “little debate” exists about who will start for the Broncos. Nix, who fared well in his preseason debut, has steadily impressed. An offseason report noted Nix had ground to cover to catch Stidham, but given the team’s investment and the QB’s experience (61 starts), it is unsurprising the gap has narrowed to the point the veteran’s roster spot is not guaranteed.
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Indeed, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds it would surprise if Nix were not out there with the starters in Week 1. Nix went 15-for-21 with 125 passing yards against the Colts, throwing a touchdown pass and leading the team to four drives. The Oregon prospect is starting the Broncos’ second preseason game, though Sean Payton said Stidham (4-for-7, 37 yards) would play more Sunday.
Nix opening the season would be new territory for the Broncos, who did not give Drew Lock, Paxton Lynch, Tim Tebow or Jay Cutler the Week 1 keys (Lock started his rookie season on IR; the rest opened their rookie years as backups). No Broncos rookie QB has begun a season as the starter since John Elway 41 years ago, but after taking on a staggering dead money total via the Russell Wilson release, it has always seemed likely Payton would turn to the player he drafted in Round 1.
Regarding Nix’s backup, Wilson’s recent showings have clouded that situation. The ex-Jets bust has looked better in practice recently, Renck adds, and Payton praised his showing against Indianapolis (10-for-13, 117 yards). A Broncos coach called Wilson “rejuvenated,” Russini adds. The former No. 2 overall pick, who has Nix outflanked in terms of raw arm talent, would bring more dead money ($2.73MM) than Stidham ($2MM) if cut, but Renck adds finances are not expected to prominently factor into Denver’s QB2 decision.
Payton kept two QBs last season, carrying Ben DiNucci on the practice squad, and has generally gone with a two-QB setup during his career as a head coach. Of course, Drew Brees‘ durability helped on that front. The Broncos could also keep Stidham and Wilson and listen for trade interest. If the team cut Wilson, he would need to clear waivers to make it back to Denver’s P-squad. Attached to the two-year, $10MM contract he signed in 2023, Stidham is a vested veteran and would go straight to free agency.
Stidham sticking around would provide a veteran presence, even if Wilson has far more starting experience. The latter’s woeful Jets tenure, featuring three benchings and partially involving embattled ex-Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett, would stand to leave the Broncos vulnerable if Nix suffers an injury. But after initially being dropped out of the starter competition as Stidham remained involved, Wilson has nudged his way back into the conversation for at least making the 53-man roster in his contract year.