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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is expected back in time for training camp this upcoming season. Nix is on the road to recovery after surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot that ended his season after the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
One of Nix’s predecessors, former Broncos quarterback Brian Griese, spoke candidly about the soon-to-be third-year QB.
Griese’s comments paint a clear picture of where Nix and the Broncos are headed together.
Ex-Broncos QB Brian Griese Gets Honest About Bo Nix
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up before facing the Tennessee Titans.
The Broncos drafted Griese in the third round of the 1998 draft, taking him 91st overall. He played in one game that season, coming off the bench behind John Elway.
That was the Hall of Famer and former Broncos executive’s final season on the field. It was also the second of the Broncos’ back-to-back Super Bowl wins. Griese, now the quarterbacks coach of the San Francisco 49ers, has seen successful QB play.
Ex-49ers QB Sam Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl win.
Nix, who has “impressed” Griese, said “there’s no reason” the Broncos cannot follow suit. That is, if they continue to support Nix properly. They already have a “strong defense.”
“Bo improved last season, and that isn’t always the case when the league gets film on you,” Griese said, per The Denver Post’s Troy Renck on February 12. “He will continue to get better, but they are going to need a few more offensive weapons.”
That has been a common theme for the Broncos.
Broncos Urged to Upgrade Playmakers
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider selected “an offensive playmaker” as the Broncos’ biggest need heading into the offseason, with the goal being to better support Nix.
“The Broncos finished 14th in scoring in 2025. They need to improve to reach the final level of their climb under Sean Payton and claim a Super Bowl,” Kosmider wrote on February 12. “A more robust run game, in particular, is paramount, and the Broncos will need a new RB to pair with RJ Harvey if they don’t bring back oft-injured veteran J.K. Dobbins.”
That does not mean there is no room for Nix to grow in ways that help the Broncos more.
It does, however, underscore that he is still a young QB in the NFL, despite being one of the oldest in his draft class, and still needs to be supported accordingly.
The Broncos have the defense and one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. They tried to solidify the running game with Dobbins last offseason, and did until his season-ending Lisfranc injury cut his campaign short.
Bolstering Nix’s supporting cast on offense is a logical next step.
That is even after the Broncos drafted four wide receivers in the past three drafts, three of whom remain with the team entering the offseason.
Bo Nix Gets Sage Advice
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos waves to fans after defeating the Green Bay Packers.
Nix’s own improvement hinges on experience, but Griese refrained from critiquing his Broncos successor.
However, he said he teaches his own QBs, like Darnold, “You have to slow down to play fast.”
“What I mean by that is that you have to go through your reads,” Griese said. “If you skip over your first read to get to your second, that player might be covered by the inside backer because you never looked the defender off. If you go through the steps, it helps create patience.”
Nix is often credited with avoiding negative plays. He also led the NFL in passing attempts, ranked eighth in passing yards, and ranked 12th in touchdown passes.
But the Broncos’ offense ranked 14th in scoring and 10th overall.
The passing game was 11th, while the rushing attack was 16th, so adding to the offensive skill positions makes sense as Nix and the Broncos look to take the next step.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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