Last year, Denver gave the keys to Bo Nix, and to his credit, the rookie didn’t ride things out. He showed maturity, completing the season with 3,775 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions. But even with those statistics, the Broncos were only 10–7 and were eliminated early in the playoffs. And with a year of NFL film, defensive coordinators now know what to expect. Nix’s second season isn’t a challenge of improvement. It’s a referendum on Sean Payton’s rebuilding. Because this year, there’s no sugarcoating. It’s time to see if Payton’s handpicked quarterback can win games and validate the trust placed in him on day one.

As one analyst noted on ESPN, “Last year with Bo Nix, they were protecting him a lot on third downs and in passing situations. A lot of screens, a lot of throws to the sidelines, RPOS get the ball out quick.” It wasn’t so much about what Nix did; it was about what Denver wouldn’t allow him to do.

In self-evident passing downs, third and long, in the red zone down the stretch of games. The Broncos emphasized low-risk completions and play schemes that got the ball out of Nix’s hands in a hurry. It was smart, prudent, and kept Nix from making rookie mistakes. But it also left a question unanswered: Can he play when the training wheels are off?

The analyst added, “I want to see them playing better against tougher competition this year.” And that’s the real challenge heading into 2025. It’s not enough to be secure—Nix needs to prove he can survive collapsing pockets, thread passes through tight windows, and navigate blitz-heavy schemes, all while maintaining control of the offense.

By Year Two, the alibis are gone. It’s no longer about managing games—it’s about taking them. Whether that means threading a sideline laser on 3rd-and-11 or audibling into a go route with the game on the line, Nix must show he’s a difference-maker, not just a placeholder.

Sean Payton’s legacy depends on his handpicked QB’s success.

Let’s be precise—this isn’t solely about Bo Nix. This season is just as much about Sean Payton. When he took the Denver job, he inherited Russell Wilson. What he didn’t inherit was patience. So he acted, cutting ties with Wilson and stamping his name next to Bo Nix’s. That kind of move carries risk, and now, it’s Payton’s coaching legacy that’s on the line.

As one commentator put it: “This is second-act stuff. Legacy stuff. If he can make this young QB a star, that makes him even more legendary than he already is.” Payton already has the Super Bowl ring and the résumé. But building a quarterback from the ground up? That’s where the great ones truly separate themselves.

For what it is worth, the wheels are finally in motion. Denver’s defense looked like an elite group down the stretch last year. And while some critics remain skeptical of the Broncos’ firepower at receiver, Payton’s offense has never been about star power. It has been about timing, space, and execution. And that makes it all about Nix. Can he run the entire playbook? Can he throw the passes Payton used to rely on Drew Brees to make?

And then there are the Chiefs. The Broncos got close last season, very nearly stole one in Arrowhead before a blocked field goal turned the game. Now, after another season of growth under him, Denver feels like it’s closing the gap. But to do so, Nix must leap forward. The one who gets control in crunch time, owns the huddle, and turns close losses into defining victories.

Because in 2025, the leash is short and expectations are high. This is the year that Bo Nix and Sean Payton either go up together or down because of what might unfold.