Denver advances, but Bo Nix is out: Six questions about where the Broncos go from here

DENVER -- Broncos quarterback Bo Nix led yet another comeback victory Saturday, helping the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game with a 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills. But a broken bone in his right ankle, suffered three plays before Wil Lutz's game-winning field goal, will sideline Denver's second-year quarterback for the rest of the season.

Nix's injury puts the Broncos in a state of flux as the franchise tries to win its fourth Super Bowl. What's next for Denver and its young quarterback?

Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold answered questions about the injury from the team's perspective, ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder gave his views on the Broncos' prospects this postseason and injury analyst Stephania Bell offered insight into Nix's next steps and potential long-term ramifications as he recovers.



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What happened? | Who's next?
Potential adjustments | Broncos reaction
Can Denver still win it? | Nix's outlook

Broncos coach Sean Payton said Nix suffered the fracture on a first-and-10 play from the Bills' 36-yard line with 6:04 left in overtime. Nix lost 2 yards on a designed run when he was pulled to the ground by Buffalo safety Cole Bishop. Nix had a slight limp after the play but quickly moved back to the huddle.



He threw a long incompletion to wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. on the next play in which Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White was flagged for pass interference. Nix moved down the field to get lined up with the offense and took the next snap for a kneel-down. During the kneel-down play, his right ankle twisted awkwardly and appeared to give out. Nix had a pronounced limp as he moved to the sideline before Lutz's game-winning kick. -- Legwold

Jarrett Stidham is the Broncos' backup QB. He signed with Denver as a free agent in 2023, right after Payton was hired as head coach. Payton has often credited Stidham's experience and demeanor as keys to helping Nix's development in his first two NFL seasons. Stidham was a fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2019 and spent three seasons there before he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, when he was Derek Carr's backup.

Stidham, who cites time spent working with Tom Brady with the Patriots as pivotal to his development, started two games in 2023 after Payton benched Russell Wilson, throwing for two touchdowns with one interception. Stidham doesn't have Nix's mobility but is unafraid of pushing the ball downfield and has shown it in previous game action.



As for the passer behind Stidham, the Broncos' effort to keep Sam Ehlinger has worked out. Ehlinger turned down an offer to sign with the Indianapolis Colts and join their active roster earlier this season to remain on the Broncos' practice squad. -- Legwold

After three seasons with the Broncos, Payton believes Stidham is comfortable enough with the playbook to keep a full array of options in the game plan. Because Nix was part of the Broncos' run game, Payton might have to rethink how the quarterback fits into the rushing attack, though. Broncos running backs had only 10 carries while Nix had 12 in Saturday's win over the Bills. Nix also led the team with 29 rushing yards.

Nix has also been one of the league's toughest quarterbacks to sack since entering the NFL in 2024. Saturday was the 12th game this season in which he was sacked one or zero times. The Broncos might need some protection scheme tweaks with Stidham, who has been sacked 13 times in four career starts, including five times in one of his 2023 starts with the Broncos. -- Legwold