The Denver Broncos defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 17-14 in overtime on October 15, 2026, improving to 4-2. Despite the win, quarterback Bo Nix faced intense criticism for a performance that saw the offense gain only 168 total yards.
Winning in the NFL is often a cure for all ills, but the Broncos’ latest victory came with a heavy asterisk. While Denver survived a brutal opening six-game gauntlet to stay above .500, the play on the field was described by Ryan Fitzpatrick as garbage.
BRONCOS INTERCEPTION IN OTSEAvsDEN on Prime VideoStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/d4mSniqtwZ
— https://x.com/NFL/status/2110936222126182480
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Critique of Bo Nix
The postgame discourse was dominated by a sharp rebuke from former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Speaking from the Prime Video set, Fitzpatrick argued that Nix is not playing competitively and suggested the quarterback’s current approach is almost disrespectful to the quarterback position
.
Well, there’s no fire and there’s no passion… And I just think that he needs to be sat down and they need to tell him being a quarterback in the NFL is a very special thing. And right now he’s taking it for granted.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, via NBC Sports
Fitzpatrick pointed to a lack of trust between Nix and head coach Sean Payton, citing a specific instance where a screen play was called on third and eight, which Nix then threw away. The rant was significant enough to leave fellow commentator Richard Sherman stunned.
Ryan Fitzpatrick gave his thoughts after the Broncos' overtime victory#TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/AQ5wuThFjc
— https://x.com/NFLonPrime/status/2110941126681042963
Nix Struggles as Denver Offense Drops in Rankings
The numbers back up the frustration. In the win over Seattle, Nix completed 17 of 27 passes for 107 yards with no touchdowns and a passer rating of 71.1. This performance is part of a broader downward trend for the third-year quarterback, who has struggled since returning from a fractured ankle suffered at the end of last season.
The Denver offense now ranks 30th in the NFL in total yards, a steep drop from its 10th-place ranking last season. The Ringer reported that Nix currently ranks last among all starters in air yards per attempt at just 5.4.
Not pretty, but the Broncos are now through a brutal start to their schedule at 4-2 …• Their two losses are to two of the NFL's three undefeated teams.• They came back from double-digit deficits to beat the Jags and Rams.• They just beat the world champion Seahawks.
— https://x.com/AlbertBreer/status/2110943889574019115
Bo Nix’s Perspective on the Narrative
Nix has not been entirely oblivious to the noise, though he has pushed back against the idea that he is playing poorly. After a Tuesday practice, Nix told the Denver Gazette that the idea of him playing good and playing bad
is a narrative
and something that people make up
.
However, Nix admitted to some internal struggles during the game. He expressed confusion over the team’s inability to push the ball vertically, noting that defenses were just sitting back there hanging out
. He also acknowledged a personal tendency to overanalyze and overthink things, which he believes prevents him from playing his best.
Sean Payton’s Tactical Adjustments
To combat the offensive slump, Sean Payton recently assumed direct control of play-calling duties. The strategy against Seattle focused on simplicity, utilizing short throws and encouraging Nix to scramble for extra yardage. This approach appeared to work briefly in the second quarter, where the Broncos executed a 16-play, 74-yard drive and a 9-play, 79-yard drive.
Despite the tactical shift, the results remained inconsistent. The Broncos suffered eight three-and-outs during the game and had a stretch of seven straight punts. The Colorado Springs Gazette noted that the game plan was so elementary it seemed designed to prevent Nix from getting anxious while reading the defense.
Eager for the prime-time opportunity that awaits. 💪Broncos set for 'Thursday Night Football' showdown vs. Seahawks » https://t.co/MeVwLbrGlG pic.twitter.com/PmEHFxuoO4
— https://x.com/Broncos/status/2110795849890459941
Contract Eligibility Sparks Speculation About Veteran Quarterback Trade
The timing of this slump is critical because Nix is entering a phase of his career where his long-term value will be decided. He becomes eligible for a contract extension after this season, and the team must decide on a fifth-year option in 2028 projected at $29.9 million.
This instability has led to external speculation about a change at quarterback. Heavy reported that some observers have urged Denver to consider trading for a veteran, such as Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, before the November 10 trade deadline. While Payton has not indicated any intention to move on from Nix, the team’s continued reliance on its defense to secure wins—including the overtime victory against Seattle—keeps the conversation alive.
“There’s things we want to clean up, there’s things we want to fix. There’s ways in which we’re leaving some things out on the field, but we’re finding ways to win.”QB Bo Nix and Broncos 'finding ways to win' amid search for improvement » https://t.co/ISDMmTl9HQ pic.twitter.com/OMi5ElcigI
— https://x.com/Broncos/status/2110178277172093297
More on Ryan Fitzpatrick
Denver’s 168 total yards during Thursday night’s win over Seattle represent the fewest total yards the Broncos have gained in a win since John Elway’s first NFL start in 1983. pic.twitter.com/g2bMbDe79p
— https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2111075868227592431
