In a recent analysis following the Thursday Night Football match against the Seattle Seahawks, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick did not hold back in his criticism of Denver Broncos’ quarterback Bo Nix. Fitzpatrick described Nix’s performance as “disrespectful to the quarterback position,” as the Broncos edged out a narrow 17-13 overtime victory.
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Fitzpatrick’s assessments were direct, referencing the frustrations he felt while watching Nix during the game. Despite the Broncos securing a win, Fitzpatrick highlighted that the team reverted to a conservative play style in the second half, which hindered their offensive creativity. “I’m glad they scored the two touchdowns in the first half, but they were in four-minute mode when the second half started. It was really frustrating to watch,” he remarked.
Nix, 26, had a difficult night on the field. Completing 17 of 27 passes for a mere 107 yards, his struggles were evident, prompting Fitzpatrick to express that Nix is currently not competing at the level expected from a quarterback. “For me, Bo Nix is not playing competitively,” Fitzpatrick stated candidly. He further critiqued Nix for his reluctance to push the ball downfield, pointing out that his lack of confidence appeared to stem from the coaching staff’s own apprehensions.
“First of all, the guy doesn’t want to throw the ball. That’s fine. He’s throwing to the flats, he’s throwing behind, but he has no trust from his coach,” Fitzpatrick explained, underscoring the apparent disconnect between Nix’s performance and the expectations usually placed on quarterbacks in the league.
Pro Football Focus has also weighed in on Nix’s performance. Currently ranked 37th among 40 NFL quarterbacks, his completion percentage has notably dropped from last season’s figure of 64.3% to just 59.9%. His passer rating of 80.8 places him at a modest 26th in the league, prompting questions about his effectiveness as a starting quarterback.
Fitzpatrick’s critique extended into the overtime period, where he expressed frustration at what he perceived as Nix’s failure to seize critical opportunities. “In overtime, he’s got two chances to be competitive. The last one being a designed run for him to run, make somebody miss, and get a first down for your football team!” he lamented, questioning Nix’s competitiveness in high-pressure situations.
Another of Fitzpatrick’s colleagues, former tight end Tony Gonzalez, echoed the sentiments of concern regarding the Broncos’ offensive performance. “Offensively right now, it is anemic,” the 50-year-old analyst stated, suggesting that Nix’s current form might warrant consideration for a change in the starting lineup if improvements are not seen soon. “If I’m a Denver Bronco fan, I’m looking at this going, hey, if this keeps up, maybe even a good benching,” he added, indicating that a shift to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham could be on the horizon if the team’s troubles persist.
However, Nix has remained defiant against criticisms of his performance, refusing to acknowledge any significant decline in his play. “Playing good and playing bad, it’s a narrative, and I think it’s honestly kind of something we make up,” he commented after a practice session earlier in the week. “I don’t think necessarily I’m playing any different than what I’m normally playing.”
As the Broncos move forward in their season, the concerns regarding Nix’s performance and his ability to lead the team will likely continue to be a topic of discussion. With analysts calling for accountability and fans yearning for improvement, the pressure is mounting on Nix to elevate his game in upcoming fixtures. The challenge now lies in whether he can rise to expectations and demonstrate the competitive edge that Fitzpatrick and Gonzalez have emphasised is currently lacking.