The Denver Broncos are holding their breath like everyone else when it comes to quarterback Bo Nix‘s surgically repaired ankle. Now it looks like more work is needed to fix the one body part that kept the Broncos from making it to the Super Bowl last season.
“During his scheduled re-check with Dr. Norman Waldrop last week, Broncos QB Bo Nix had a successful and anticipated follow-up clean-up procedure on his ankle,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on Tuesday night. “While the team is expected to be conservative with his participation during the offseason program, Nix continues to make strong progress in his recovery and remains firmly on track to be ready for the start of training camp.”
Nix fractured his ankle on the game-winning overtime drive in an AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills on January 18. Nix remained on the field for several plays after he fractured his ankle to set up the game-winning field goal, and the injury wasn’t disclosed until 1 hour after the game ended.
With Nix watching from the luxury suites, the Broncos lost to the New England Patriots, 10-7, in Denver just 1 week later in the AFC Championship Game.
In 2 seasons as the Broncos’ starting quarterback, Nix is 24-10 in the regular season and 1-1 in playoff games. The Broncos went 14-3 in 2025 and earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
“He had a recheck that was scheduled,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton told DNVR’s Zac Stevens on Saturday. “He’s doing great. We’re excited about his progress. Nothing to report. These guys will be coming in here. He’s here.”
Nix Named NFL’s ‘Most Underpaid Player’
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon placed Nix at the top of his list of the NFL’s “Most Underpaid” players for the 2nd consecutive year this offseason.
“Nix is a bargain to the Broncos like Drake Maye is to the Patriots,” Gagnon wrote. “Promising third-year first-round pick on track to become a longtime franchise quarterback. His $5.1 million 2026 cap hit ranks 35th at that position, behind Davis Mills, Marcus Mariota, and Gardner Minshew. In fact, Nix won’t even be the highest-paid QB on the Broncos roster this year, as Jarrett Stidham is due $8 million.”
Nix was the last of a record-setting 6 quarterbacks taken in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL draft — at No. 12 overall — and has gone about breaking NFL records through his first 2 seasons:
- 1st QB with 20+ wins, 7,500+ passing yards, 50+ TDs in 1st 2 seasons
- Most wins by NFL QB in 1st 2 seasons (24)
- Most game-winning drives by QB in 1st 2 seasons (10)
- Most comeback wins by QB in a single season (12)
- 1st QB with 2 rushing TDs & 2 passing TDs in 1 quarter
It’s not an understatement to say 2026 is important for both Nix and the Broncos, as he’s eligible for his 1st contract extension in 2027. It’s a deal that could pay Nix upwards of $60 million per season — and possibly make him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
Report: Broncos QB Bo Nix Underwent Second Surgery on Ankle