Bo Nix will remain Denver Broncos’ starting QB, Sean Payton says

Broncos Country has spent the past week arguing about Bo Nix on sports radio, social media and probably at a few dinner tables. Sean Payton isn’t joining the debate. On Monday, the Broncos coach said Nix will stay Denver’s starting quarterback and that he hasn’t even considered a change.

Payton said the fix is bigger than one player. “Bo is going to be a byproduct of all the other things that get improved,” he said, pointing to better offensive line play and a more balanced running game. “That’s our job as coaches here.” He also took some of the blame for the lack of big plays. “That starts with me and us giving him those opportunities when they present themselves.”

The numbers explain why fans are worried. Through six games, Nix has 1,049 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, and he’s completing about 60% of his passes. In Thursday’s overtime win over Seattle, he threw only one pass past the first-down marker on 17 attempts in the second half. Nix said afterward that he doesn’t understand why the offense can’t push the ball downfield. He has also said he’s fully healed from the ankle injury he suffered in last season’s playoffs.

Nix also has a record on his side. Denver is 4-2 and second in the AFC West, and he’s 28-12 as a starter. Thanks largely to a defense that’s been carrying the team, the Broncos have won 14 straight one-possession regular-season games with him under center. Payton said Nix has handled adversity before and will again. “Right now offensively, I feel that. Our players feel that. And we’ll improve,” he said. Fans will see whether that happens Sunday, Oct. 25, when the Broncos visit the Arizona Cardinals.