New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye made his feelings clear about Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix after Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Denver’s divisional-round win. Maye said the news was “heartbreaking” and added he’s “praying for Bo,” in comments captured in a clip shared by Romi Bean on X on Jan. 18, 2026.
“Heartbreaking for the player he is, the guy he is. Praying for Bo. I know he’ll bounce back. He’s a great player in this league.”
Added, “they got a great team. Should be a tough one next week.”
The timing is brutal: the Patriots are now set to travel to Denver for the AFC Championship Game, but the anticipated matchup between the two 2024 draft classmates won’t happen with Nix sidelined.
Drake Maye Calls Bo Nix Injury “Heartbreaking”
Speaking after New England’s win that punched its ticket to the conference title game, Maye explained he trained with Nix before the draft and got to know him and his family. He described them as “great people” and said the injury news hit hard because of “what a player he is” and “the guy he is.”
Maye’s message was simple and direct: he’s praying for Nix and believes he’ll “bounce back” in the league. Maye also acknowledged what Denver has built this season, calling the Broncos “a great team” and predicting it “should be a tough one next week.”
He even added a little personal context, referencing a college matchup between the two, a reminder that this relationship isn’t just a “two AFC quarterbacks” storyline, but something that goes back years.
What It Means for the Broncos in the AFC Championship
The Broncos will now turn to backup Jarrett Stidham with a Super Bowl trip on the line. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed Nix suffered a broken bone in his right ankle late in the win over the Buffalo Bills and will undergo surgery, ending his postseason.
That creates immediate ripple effects:
- Game plan shift: Denver’s offense likely becomes more conservative early, leaning harder on defense and field position while Stidham settles in.
- Pressure on the run game & pass protection: Keeping Stidham clean becomes priority No. 1 against a Patriots defense that just wrecked a playoff opponent.
- Fewer “off-script” plays: Nix’s ability to extend snaps disappears, changing how New England can defend third downs.
Payton still praised Nix’s toughness and leadership after the game, but the bottom line is Denver has to win the AFC title game without the quarterback who got them there.
Stats, Schedule & Context Ahead of Patriots vs. Broncos
Nix’s injury came in a 33-30 overtime Broncos win over the Bills, a game in which he threw for 279 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
On the other side, Maye and the Patriots advanced by beating the Texans 28-16 at Gillette Stadium, with Maye throwing three touchdown passes as New England earned its first AFC title game berth in several years. Maye didn’t put up a monster yardage day against Houston, but he made enough plays to advance. The second-year quarterback finished 16-of-27 for 179 yards while throwing three touchdown passes. He also had one interception and fumbled four times, losing two in the slick conditions, making ball security a major storyline heading into Denver.
So the headline matchup is now different: Maye vs. Stidham, in Denver, with the winner heading to the Super Bowl, and Maye’s message made it clear he’s feeling for the friend who won’t be on the field.
Drake Maye Makes Feelings Clear on Broncos, Bo Nix