For the 2nd year in a row, the experts think the Denver Broncos are getting a world-class deal on quarterback Bo Nix.
Headed into his 3rd season as the Broncos’ starting quarterback in 2026, Nix isn’t just a premium value for his franchise — he’s a value almost all 32 NFL teams would kill to have.
That’s why Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon placed Nix at the top of his list of the NFL’s “Most Underpaid” players again.
It was Nix’s broken ankle suffered on 1 of the final plays of an AFC Divisional Round overtime win over the Buffalo Bills that likely kept the Broncos out of the Super Bowl last season — made even more incredible by the fact that Nix broke his ankle then continued to play to set up the game-winning field goal.
Nix’s injury wasn’t disclosed until an hour after the game ended. Just 1 week later, the Broncos lost to the Patriots, 10-7, in the AFC Championship Game as the offense looked lost without its leader.
“Nix is a bargain to the Broncos like Drake Maye is to the Patriots,” Kay wrote on Sunday. “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.”
Bo Nix Made Broncos Super Bowl Contender
If you wanted to uncover how the Broncos became one of the AFC’s top teams over the last 2 years, drafting Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is at the top of the list.
Nix was the last of a record-setting 6 quarterbacks taken in the 1st round 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
Broncos Added WR in Blockbuster Trade
Nix had surgery to repair his ankle just days following his injury and, by all accounts, should be ready for the regular-season opener.
When he returns, he’ll have a weapon at his disposal unlike any he’s had through his 1st 2 seasons after the Broncos pulled off a blockbuster trade for Miami Dolphins superstar wide receiver Jaylen Waddle on March 17.
Waddle has been one of the NFL’s best wide receivers since he was selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. In 5 NFL seasons, Waddle has had over 1,000 receiving yards 3 times, including 75 receptions for a career-high 1,356 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in 2022. In 2025, Waddle had 64 receptions for 910 yards and 6 touchdowns in 16 games.
Waddle, like Nix, could be in line for a huge payday from the Broncos in the near future — he signed a 3-year, $84.75 million contract extension with the Dolphins before the 2024 season.
“Sean Payton running the show,” Mile High Huddle’s Zack Kelberman wrote on X following the trade. “Davis Webb calling the plays. Bo Nix throwing the balls. Jaylen Waddle catching the passes. Broncos winning the games.”
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