Bo Nix showcased remarkable resilience in his rookie NFL season, starting all 17 regular-season games for the Denver Broncos and taking the field for his 18th game in Sunday’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, ending the Broncos’ campaign with a 31-7 defeat.
The former Auburn standout and Pinson Valley High School alum played an astounding 1,130 offensive snaps in his first NFL season. Reflecting on his journey from being the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to becoming the Broncos’ starting quarterback on Sept. 8, Nix expressed gratitude for his rapid rise.
“The best way to grow is to get out there and experience it firsthand,” Nix said. “Watching from the sidelines doesn’t prepare you the same way. Feeling those moments on the field—even if they’re tough—has been a blessing.”
However, Nix’s impressive feat of starting every game didn’t come without its challenges. On Monday, he revealed he played through a significant injury—a trio of transverse-process fractures in his spine—sustained during a Nov. 24 victory over the Raiders. He still suited up for the following week’s game, a hard-fought Monday Night Football win against the Cleveland Browns.
A transverse-process fracture affects the bony protrusions on the sides of a vertebra. Despite the injury, Nix powered through with treatment, determination, and a bye week that helped him recover. “It was a grueling 18- or 19-week season, but God was good to me. I stayed upright and healthy enough to play every game,” Nix said. “Of course, we all deal with bruises and scrapes, but that stretch in Vegas was a test of will. I wasn’t going to miss my first Monday Night game.”
Teammates marveled at Nix’s toughness, with guard Quinn Meinerz highlighting his resilience. “Bo never flinched—whether it was his first NFL game or playing through injury,” Meinerz said. “That toughness and competitive spirit were evident every single week.”
Nix also took the season as a learning opportunity, emphasizing the critical areas of NFL play that he plans to improve. “The biggest lessons for me were in the red zone and on third downs,” he noted. “Those are the pivotal moments in a game, and understanding them better is where I can grow. It’s about refining my awareness, making smarter decisions, and keeping us on the field longer.”
Despite a tough playoff exit, Bo Nix’s inaugural season proved he has the grit, determination, and talent to be a cornerstone for the Broncos’ future success.
