Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, despite NFL execs and coaches tagging his talent in the bottom half of the league, is projected by Broncos Country to finally break that 4,000-yard passing barrier this season. Seriously, how wild is that? The dude apparently outperformed big names like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert last year, yet the “experts” still aren’t buying into his raw talent.
The Numbers Don’t Lie… Or Do They?
Nix slung it for 3,775 yards his rookie season, then came in just shy of 4,000 last year. Now, the majority in Broncos Country are betting he’ll nudge past that 4,000-yard mark this season, maybe just barely. A few brave souls are even calling for 4,500 yards or more! It’s kinda funny, because if the league’s top brass thinks he’s a bottom-half talent, that’s a pretty big ask. It makes you wonder what they’re seeing. Remember how Josh Allen was “approaching bust” status before his 4,544-yard breakout in his third year? Or how Mahomes and Herbert have both seen their passing yards drop off from their peak years, especially when they lost top receivers? Mahomes even had his best yardage seasons early on, with his last two under 4,000. Herbert’s lower passing yardage seasons, ironically, were some of the Chargers’ best in terms of wins and losses. It just shows you that raw passing yards can sometimes be a red herring.
Why Rushing Might Be the Real Story
Now, I’m a fan of an explosive passing game as much as the next guy, but I’m telling you, a strong run game is what the Broncos really need to focus on. They’ve been stuck hovering just under 2,000 rushing yards for the past five seasons, while the league’s top rushing teams are closer to 3,000. If Nix’s passing yards come in under 4,000 but it means their rushing totals shoot up, that’s a win for them. They’ve got J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey headlining their backfield going into camp, so maybe this is the year they finally get that ground game going. If the run game takes off, it could actually make Nix look better, even if his passing numbers aren’t as flashy as some are predicting.
What’s at stake for the Broncos this season isn’t just Nix’s passing yards; it’s about finding that balance. Keep an eye on those rushing stats, because that’s where their season could really turn.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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