The Denver Broncos got a 23-17 Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers to advance to a 3-2 record on the season. However, it wasn't without some questionable play from quarterback Bo Nix. Even with head coach Sean Payton reclaiming play-calling duties, things still seemed a bit off for Nix.
On Monday, during a guest appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Dan Orlovsky explained what he's seeing from the 26-year-old signal-caller. Orlovsky claims that Nix is good when his first read is available, but appears to panic and make bad decisions if the first read is not there. The former NFL quarterback explained how that is one key factor out of several that is affecting Nix's ability in the pocket.
“Here's the thing where Bo still is,” Orlovsky said. “Bo is one [read] and almost panic right now. What I mean is, okay, if the No. 1 guy is there, he's fine… If it's not there, it's like, ‘Oh gosh,' and he starts to panic. There's a clip yesterday where he runs, and he throws the ball down the back of the left sideline. There's [nobody] even remotely close to him from a Chargers perspective.
“He's falling away and throwing it, and there's no pressure, there's no blitz. He's drifting to his left. Pocket's totally clean, and it's almost like, ‘I'm throwing the back no matter what,' even though the back is covered,” Orlovsky continued. “He's really, really right now struggling with just his feet in the pocket, his calmness in the pocket with his feet when that first read isn't there, and he's gotta get to the second and third. So, they've got to get that figured out.”
Article Continues Below"I didn't see anything different from the Denver Broncos yesterday..
It's hard to see something different when there is no rhythm..
Bo Nix is struggling with his feet and calmness in the pocket" ~ @danorlovsky7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/YxlG3g5isN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 12, 2026
Bo Nix ended Sunday's contest with 123 passing yards and one touchdown while completing 59.2% of his pass attempts. Through five games played, he now has 943 yards, six touchdown passes, and three interceptions while owning a 59.9% completion percentage.
The third-year veteran will have a chance to right the ship in Week 6. Unfortunately, it's a short week for him and the Broncos, as the club is scheduled to face off against the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football.”

