In the recent history of media guys you love to hate, ESPN’s Ben Solak is All-World, and has been every year going back to his time at The Ringer.
Solak has a kind of genius for not only presenting his takes entertainingly, but also finding new, unique ways to get under your skin in the process. It’s a gift.
His latest take on Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix — even said in a dismissive, passing way — definitely qualifies.
Appearing on The Ringer NFL Show on Thursday, Solak was going through future NFL predictions and proposed a scenario in which, just a few years from now, it’s the Las Vegas Raiders ruling over the AFC West.
In doing so, he made it clear he doesn’t think Nix will ever fully recover from the fractured ankle he suffered late in an AFC Divisional Round overtime win over the Buffalo Bills following the 2025 season.
“In the AFC West, the Raiders are just chip, chip, chipping their way up the divisional rankings,” Solak said. “The Chiefs start to fall apart. The Broncos, Bo Nix never comes back to health.”
Sean Payton Said Same Thing About Bo Nix
While we’re dragging Solak out to be tarred and feathered, let’s not forget Broncos head coach Sean Payton said essentially the same thing a few months ago.
It all started when Payton suggested Nix’s fractured ankle was the result of a congenital condition and not just a normal injury suffered during the course of the game.
“What was found was a condition that was predisposed — they always find a little more when they go in,” Payton said on January 26. “It wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when. When you look at the play and you’re trying to evaluate it — the operating surgeon said that this was going to happen sooner than later. Now, you go about the rehab, proper orthotics, all those things.”
Nix, who has butted heads with Payton in the past, was understandably pissed at what could be construed, legally, as a pretty blatant HIPAA violation.
“Nothing predisposed, nothing that was there originally,” said Nix, who had surgery 3 days after the injury and was given a 4-6 week time frame to resume football activities. “That might have gotten confused. Just a simple step with my foot up in the air, my body weight came down on it, sort of got twisted up. … It could have been a worse landing, but I think all that force went into the only place it could. I don’t think (Payton) should share how many surgeries I’ve had in the past, to be honest with you … he doesn’t even really know that. But it’s going to be good to get back, get back to work. … Nothing really concerns me, nothing scares me moving forward.”
Broncos Gave Contradicting Info on Recovery
The Broncos have done little to quell speculation like Solak’s, underlined by a surprise, second surgery that now threatens to keep Nix out until training camp.
“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.”
NFL Insider: Broncos QB Bo Nix Will ‘Never Come Back to Health’