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Bo Nix is the ‘real deal’ and game-breaking $82m WR is final piece in Broncos’ Super Bowl puzzle
Bo Nix looked ready to lead the Denver Broncos into the Super Bowl until suffering a broken ankle.
The sophomore quarterback was injured on the second-to-last play of a thrilling 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
It meant he missed an AFC Championship showdown with the New England Patriots as backup Jarrett Stidham was overwhelmed by a tough defense in brutal snowy conditions.
Former Denver wideout Ed McCaffrey, who won two of his three Super Bowl rings with John Elway‘s Broncos, hyped up Nix to talkSPORT after his rookie season and joined us again on Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LX to bemoaned the cruel blow.
“I told you I knew he had what it what it took,” he told our viral commentator Will Gavin. “Heartbroken that he somehow broke his ankle…
“But he’s one hell of a quarterback. Had a great year. So bummed that he got hurt. And Jared Stidham came in and he was put in a really bad position.
“You haven’t played in two years and now you’re playing against the Patriots in a championship game. That’s a difficult position to be in.
“Then the snow came down and no one could do anything offensively in the second half.”
Sean Payton won the Super Bowl with Drew Brees in New Orleans and has a similar archetype of accurate pocket passer on his hands with Nix.
McCaffrey is bullish heading into year three for a franchise that remains close to his heart, alongside son Christian’s San Francisco 49ers.
“Bo Nix is the real deal,” he proclaimed. “The Denver Broncos are the real deal.
“I was hoping for a Niners-Broncos Super Bowl. That’s what I was hoping for. That’s like my family. The Broncos are my family. The 49ers are my family.
“There’s so many people that coached with me or that were with me in Denver that are now in San Francisco. These are two wonderful organizations that I was rooting for, but it’s it’s not to be, unfortunately.”
The Seattle Seahawks ended up triumphing and if Payton wants another ring, he needs to build around Nix.
Denver Broncos urged to add firepower in free agency and draft
One option is one of McCaffrey Jr.’s former teammates Deebo Samuel, who has already made his case.
“I can say Denver,” Samuel said when asked where he would like to play before being traded to the Washington Commanders in 2025.
“Bo Nix is playing really good ball. Their defense is outrageous. Patrick Surtain II is the best at this position.
“Been for the past two years. I just think you need a couple more pieces and it’ll be what it needs to be and just have to get past Patrick Mahomes every year.”
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The Broncos got past Mahomes & Co without Samuel’s help in 2025, but if he could stay healthy the All Pro free agent with $82 million in career earnings could be exactly the type of joker to unlock Payton’s developing QB.
“Bo Nix wants to get the ball out quickly when he has a numbers advantage or throw the ball on digs and deep crossers off play-action,” ESPN’s Bill Barnwell argued. “Samuel would be a rugged addition who offers more physicality than just about anybody in that mix.
“He could also be a useful runner for coach Sean Payton as a changeup in short yardage or near the goal line, where Nix is often used on sneaks and designed runs.”
Brandon Aiyuk is also expected to leave the Niners this offseason and could be another solid — if more expensive option.
The Broncos have over $20 million in cap space and with some restructuring could even pull off a blockbuster trade for want-out Philadelphia Eagles phenom A.J. Brown, although it would be costly.
Payton also has the 30th pick in April’s NFL Draft to play with, where some mocks have the Broncos selecting an explosive young back to work alongside JK Dobbins.
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