Dan Orlovsky pulled no punches this week, slamming Broncos quarterback Bo Nix for “leaving plays on the field” after Denver’s recent loss to the San Francisco 49ers, directly calling out five first-half plays where Nix simply did not throw the football on designed big plays. This isn’t just a casual critique; it’s a full-on alarm from a former NFL quarterback, echoing what fans in “Broncos Country” are already screaming.
The Brutal Truth: “He Just Does Not Throw the Football”
Orlovsky, wearing his ESPN analyst hat on NFL Live, was stone cold honest. When asked if Sean Payton calling plays might help Nix, he shot back that it isn’t about the play caller. He said, “Those clips, specifically the first two, Bo’s run those for ten years. Those are basic concepts that he should be seeing and for some reason… he’s either not seeing it, or he’s seeing it and doesn’t want to throw it.” Talk about brutal honesty, right? He basically said Nix should know these plays in his sleep and he’s still whiffing.
Then, he doubled down on The Pat McAfee Show, specifically honing in on the 49ers game. Orlovsky dropped a bombshell: “There are five clips from the first half of yesterday’s game, three of them big plays, where I’m sitting there saying, ‘Bo throw the ball,’ that are open, the design gets them open, they’re big plays down the field and he just does not throw the football.” Five plays. In *one half*. That’s a massive problem when your offense already struggles to get going until the second half, a pattern we’re seeing *again*. Remember how much talk there was last season about Nix being the best QB from the 2024 draft because he led those furious comebacks? Losing changes things fast, and now fans are questioning him, big time.
Nix’s Response: “Never Satisfied” But Actions Speak Louder
So, what does the man himself say? After Wednesday’s practice, Nix was asked if he wanted plays back from the 49ers game, and his response was a direct “Yes, absolutely.” He admitted, “There’s never been a game that I’ve played that I didn’t want to have a couple back.” He knows there were moments where he “wanted to make a throw, or maybe not pull the trigger or throw it to somebody else.” It’s clear the plays are haunting him, saying he’d “still go home thinking about one or two plays that are just driving me crazy” even when playing “out of my mind.”
Nix sees it as a “never-satisfied game” and something you have to be careful with, “working so hard and not ever being satisfied.” He gets that it’s all about winning and putting the team in the best situation. He’s promising to change and get better, saying it will “come over time.” But in the NFL, time is a luxury you don’t always have, especially when the media and fanbase are already breathing down your neck.
What’s Next for Bo Nix?
Nix gets his next shot to turn things around this Sunday when the Broncos head to SoFi Stadium to battle the winless Los Angeles Chargers. This isn’t just another game; it’s a chance to quiet the critics, regain some trust, and, you know, actually throw the ball when plays are open. The pressure is on, big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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