McDermott recalled facing Nix in the previous two seasons and described him as competitive and edgy, with a distinctive playing style. On The Rich Eisen Show, he noted that this year there appears to be some indecisiveness. “What I’m seeing a little bit this year, to their point, is some of the maybe indecisiveness,” he said. “He’s kind of volleyed back and forth between two different play callers now, so maybe that’s it. You just never know; he’s got game, he’s got the skills. I see him on the bench a little bit this year.”
McDermott added that Nix looked noticeably relaxed this season, though he cautioned that it’s not clear whether that’s simply Nix’s natural demeanor. “Sometimes a quarterback, in particular, needs to have that demeanor on the sideline because you have to stay consistent,” McDermott explained. “You’ve got to stay poised for your team. Just overall, it’s whatever works as far as that goes, but there is something a little bit off this year, and I would agree from that standpoint because I know what he’s capable of doing.”
Bo Nix began his NFL journey with high expectations after being selected 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He earned the starting job immediately and posted an impressive rookie season, throwing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns. He followed up with another 17-game season, recording 3,931 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. Despite the solid production, McDermott and others noted a slight dip in Nix’s performance and competitive spirit.
Through six games in the 2026 regular season, Denver’s passing attack has struggled. Nix is averaging a career-worst 5.6 yards per attempt, the lowest in the league. Head coach Sean Payton has repeatedly reassured fans and teammates that Nix remains the franchise quarterback.
After Denver’s Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Payton shared a candid moment with Nix to bolster his confidence. “I said to him, ‘Man, you’re the guy we wanted here. Let’s go. You’ve done a ton of things well,’” Payton told a Denver Post reporter. “You’ve done a ton of things well. But there’s a lot that goes into that. ‘That old TV series The Bear, they just say, Let it rip. I want him to make sure, hey, let it rip.’”
While McDermott has voiced concerns about seeing Nix on the bench at times this season, Payton has shown unwavering belief in the 26-year-old quarterback’s ability. As the Broncos navigate a challenging stretch, the QB quarterback dynamic and leadership on the sideline continue to be central themes in Denver’s pursuit of success.
