A trade for Cirelli would be a home run swing by the Canadiens.
Alarming ‘Concern’ Looms Large for Broncos QB Bo Nix Heading Into Colts Game
Posted September 12, 2025
Bo Nix must “clean up” a few of the “wrinkles” in his game, and fast, if the Denver Broncos are going to reach their ceiling this season, according to The Denver Post’s Troy Renck. But Week 1 showed that the second-year quarterback is a work in progress.
Nix is coming off a history-making, 10-win season in which he led the Broncos to their first playoff berth since 2015.
Still, Renck believes Nix should “stop chasing perfection and focus on precision.”
Bo Nix ‘Alarm’ Primed to Go Off
Renck posed questions about whether it was time to sound the “Bo Nix alarm” or “worry” over the Broncos’ QB’s quiet summer and, even worse, subpar track record in September games, saying the No. 12 pick of the 2024 draft “looked like a baby giraffe on roller skates.”
Now, “Nix isn’t exactly inspiring confidence.”
Renck noted that it was only the first week of the season, but the Broncos’ Week 2 matchup could prove far more telling than originally expected.
“We have not reached the ‘everyone freak out stage.’ Not yet. But with games on the horizon against the Chargers and Bengals, it will be time to worry if Nix plays poorly this week,” Renck wrote on September 10.
“My concern is one that surfaced over the summer. He never caught fire in June, failed to wow in training camp, save for a few scrimmage series against the 49ers and Cardinals, and remained uneven in two preseason games. His play has been a mirror of the offense. There are glimpses of improvement that are quickly overshadowed by long bouts of ineffectiveness.”
Nix completed 62.5% of his passes for 176 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions against the Tennessee Titans.
Renck urged him to be “smarter” and “better prepared,” citing confidence in the QB’s work ethic.
Bo Nix Adds to ‘Precarious’ Situation for Colts
Nix could be in position for a soft landing as the Broncos take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 on the road.
“Pretty precarious situation at cornerback for the Colts. No. 1 corner Charvarius Ward is in concussion protocol and backup Jaylon Jones will ‘be out for a while’ with a hamstring injury, according to coach Shane Steichen,” ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported in a post on X on September 10.
“Next in line would be Mekhi Blackmon, who the Colts got in a trade with Minnesota last month. Also in the mix would be undrafted free agent Johnathan Edwards, who had a strong camp and came out of nowhere to make the final roster.”
As of September 11, the Colts’ CB situation remained murky at best.
If Nix and the Broncos’ offense want to jumpstart their offense, a matchup against a depleted Colts secondary could be just what hte doctor ordered.
Bo Nix Gets ‘Great News’ About Evan Engram
Nix needs his playmakers even if the Broncos face a Colts team missing multiple players on defense, and the Broncos’ second injury report of the week offered “great news” in that regard, according to DNVR’s Zac Stevens.
Tight end Evan Engram left the Broncos’ Week 1 win over the Titans with a calf injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, offering the first positive sign.
On Thursday, Engram upgraded to full participation.
Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers’ return from a one-day absence, and linebacker Alex Singleton’s full participation despite a fractured thumb are also encouraging, as is tight end Nate Adkins getting in a limited session.
The dour note is that linebacker Dre Greenlaw remains sidelined with a quad injury. Still, Nix’s Broncos are trending in the right direction health-wise heading into the Colts game.
Cirelli is projected to be a valuable asset - the trade talks are heating up
The Montreal Canadiens have been undergoing a period of rebuilding for some time.
They pulled off one of the biggest deals of the summer – acquiring offensive defender Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. We proposes a deal that would accelerate the Eastern Conference team’s exit from its rebuilding phase by acquiring Anthony Cirelli from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Canadiens Acquire:
- Anthony Cirelli
Lightning Acquire:
- Patrik Laine
A deal of this magnitude would undoubtedly be a blockbuster. Patrik Laine is an established NHLer who can produce goals and points. Cirelli is a top-six center whose two-way prowess is widely recognized throughout the league. Cirelli would immediately become a vital piece for the Canadiens moving forward.
While others have speculated that a player like Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins would be a helpful piece, Cirelli is a better option.
Montreal Canadiens Need To Move Salary Out
According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens are $4.519 million over the salary cap ceiling. Swapping Laine for Cirelli doesn’t cure what ails their salary cap situation, but it lightens the load.
Laine will make $8.7 million in the 2025-26 season. He is in the final year of his contract, and the Canadiens must start thinking about whether they should retain him in their ranks or not. By executing this proposed swap, they acquire a player who is signed for a long time at a lower cap hit than Laine.
Cirelli is in the third year of an eight-year contract paying him $6.25 million, which is $2.5 million less than Laine’s. This deal would get them closer to the ceiling, but another deal would need to happen to bring them even closer.
Another consideration could be to involve another team to retain salary on Laine’s contract. This would give the Lightning a more affordable contract to acquire, providing them with a greater incentive to make the deal.
Anthony Cirelli’s Surprising Offensive Game
Cirelli displayed another level to his offensive game in 2024-25. In 80 games played, he recorded career highs in goals (27), assists (32), points (59), shorthanded points (7), and time on ice (18:41).
Had Cirelli played for the Canadiens during this past season, he would have had the fourth-most points. The only Canadiens with more than 59 points last year were Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson.
Getting that kind of offensive boost to the top-six forward group is something that the Canadiens should be all over.
