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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 25: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates the 20-13 win against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Bo Nix vs. Drake Maye debate reignited across the NFL after Super Bowl LX, with Broncos players, analysts, and fans calling out Maye’s poor performance.

Maye and the New England Patriots struggled against the Seattle Seahawks’ defense in the 29-13 loss, facing heavy pressure and multiple turnovers that became a focal point of criticism.

Broncos fans watching from home quickly took to social media, arguing that Denver would have been in a far different position with Nix under center.

Much of the reaction centered on what Broncos supporters believe separates Nix from Maye: late-game composure, pocket awareness, and decision-making under pressure.

Former players and team analysts pointed to Nix’s ability to avoid negative plays and deliver in high-leverage moments.

Former Broncos safety T.J. Ward summed up that sentiment bluntly, posting on X:

“This y’all MVP candidate Drake Maye? Gimme Bo Nix 10 out of 10 times.”

This yall MVP candidate Drake Maye? Gimme Bo Nix 10 out of 10 times.

DNVR’s Zac Stevens echoed the thought:

“Nix would 100% have had a better game than Drake Maye.”

Some Broncos-focused accounts went as far as saying the two quarterbacks don’t belong in the same conversation.

Broncos Country Makes Argument for Bo Nix > Drake Maye

Much of the reaction from Broncos circles focused on areas where Bo Nix has consistently delivered, especially in late-game situations.

During his standout 2025 season, Nix led the NFL with eight game-winning drives, the most ever by a quarterback 25 or younger.

This includes his postseason game-winning drive in overtime against the Buffalo Bills.

As Super Bowl LX played out, Broncos fans began comparing what they were seeing from Maye to what Denver got all season from Nix.

One Broncos fan wrote, “Bo Nix would be carving this defense up.”

Another added, “This game just shows how valuable Bo is. He doesn’t put you behind the chains.”

That theme came up repeatedly as the Patriots struggled with pressure.

Several Broncos-focused accounts pointed to Nix’s ability to avoid sacks and negative plays, with one analyst posting:

“Bo doesn’t take sacks like this. That’s the difference.”

Another wrote, “People don’t realize how elite Bo’s pocket awareness already is.”

The contrast became even sharper as pressure mounted on Drake Maye.

Maye was sacked 21 times across four playoff games, an NFL postseason record, while Nix was sacked just 22 times total during the entire season, including playoffs.

That stat circulated widely in Broncos circles.

One post emphasized the importance, “Sacks are a QB stat. Payton’s been telling us that all year.”

A Bo Nix-Drake Maye Rivalry is Just Getting Started

Even with the reaction tilting heavily toward Nix in Broncos circles, many fans acknowledged that Drake Maye’s regular-season résumé still reflects a great young quarterback.

Several posts framed the debate less as a final judgment and more as the beginning of a long-term rivalry.

“Both can be great,” one fan wrote.

“But Bo’s clutch gene is real.” Another added, “This feels like the start of a real AFC QB rivalry.”

Both quarterbacks were first-round picks in 2024 and immediately elevated their teams.

Because they came from the same draft class, their career paths will always be linked and compared.

Super Bowl LX didn’t end the debate.

If anything, it offered an early glimpse of what could become a Brady-Manning style rivalry between two quarterbacks and two teams with very bright futures in the AFC.

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