Broncos QB Bo Nix Gives Strong Reaction After Trade Deadline Decision
The Denver Broncos let the 2025 trade deadline come and go without getting anything done. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix offered strong thoughts about why that was. He also spoke about what it means for the team this season.
It was not as if the Broncos did not try. However, their desire fell short of what was required to make something happen.
For Nix, the decision came as little to no surprise.
Bo Nix: ‘Great’ Broncos Confident Enough to Stand Pat at Trade Deadline
Nix fielded a question about what is says to the team that the Broncos did not go all out to add a piece. Particularly, he was asked what it says about head coach Sean Payton’s faith in the group.
Nix called it “great.”
“Obviously, if there’s a need, you want to get it,” Nix told reporters on November 4. “But we feel like we got all the pieces. And so, sometimes when something like that happens, it shakes things up. And we got something good going, and we just want to keep riding this wave and finding ways to win.”
Much of the conversation around the Broncos’ trade plans stemmed from seeking help for Nix, be it another target or protection amid injuries to their offensive line.
The Broncos attempted to bring in tight ends and explored wide receiver trades.
Their biggest addition was veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who will have a bit role on the field and provide a locker room presence. Other than that, it is up to Nix and his current crop of pass catchers to take the necessary next steps.
Broncos WR Reacts to Trade Deadline
One of Nix’s top targets, current Broncos wideout and former Oregon Ducks teammate Troy Franklin, spoke candidly about the Broncos’ lack of action at the deadline.
According to Franklin, it was not surprising based on what they had been told.
“Sean (Payton has) been telling us all year he loves our team, loves the receiver group and we don’t really need anything, so he’s kept his word,” Franklin said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson in a post on X on November 4.
Payton said leading up to the deadline that the Broncos would be open to a deal. However, that was only if it provided actual value, and not just to make something happen.
Franklin “especially” did not expect a WR move, per Tomasson, but Denver explored its options.
“The Broncos did NOT make a trade before the trade deadline,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens reported on X on November 4. “From my understanding, they looked into making moves, but didn’t force anything.”
Bo Nix: Broncos Looking to ‘Improve Faster’ Than Competition
Nix acknowledged the Broncos’ fourth-quarter prowess has belied the difficulty of scoring. He joked that not facing a top defense like the Houston Texans in Week 9 would help. He also noted that the Broncos are far from satisfied with so much of the season left.
At 7-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, and riding a six-game winning streak is nice, but hardly their end goal.
Their main focus is continuing to improve.
“We have so many things that we want to correct. And we feel like we haven’t even played a complete game offensively, much less, as a team. And so, I think once we start doing that, then we got to be careful about being too lax. But until then, we’re all in a growth mindset, and we’re worried about the things that we can fix,” Nix told reporters on Tuesday.
“Because there’s several of them from each position that we’re trying to focus on. And until we’re hitting all the ones that we need to hit, I don’t think we’re going to be able to be relaxed. Because we have a lot of guys that are competitive. We don’t have a bunch of frontrunners. We just got a locker room full of guys that are trying to race to improve, and improve faster than everybody else in the league.”
Indianapolis Colts Legend Peyton Manning Defends Daniel Jones Against Critics: “We Don’t Need to Be Mahomes”
The ongoing debate surrounding Daniel Jones’ place among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks reached a boiling point this week, and just as it seemed to overshadow the Indianapolis Colts’ season, a legendary voice rose from the past to defend the team’s current star.
When former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh remarked on Speakeasy that “The regular season doesn’t turn anyone into Mahomes,” his criticism of Daniel Jones hit a nerve with fans and players alike. Houshmandzadeh, who had been a key part of the Bengals’ offense during their successful years, seemed to dismiss Jones' accomplishments, suggesting that greatness in the regular season alone isn’t enough to compare with the likes of Patrick Mahomes.
However, the comments quickly backfired when none other than Peyton Manning, the Hall of Fame quarterback and Indianapolis Colts legend, stepped into the fray. Manning, a man who led the Colts to a Super Bowl championship and became one of the most prolific QBs in NFL history, was not one to let such disparaging remarks slide — especially when they were aimed at someone who has come to represent the very soul of Indianapolis.
Appearing on Good Morning Football, Manning spoke with raw emotion and deep conviction:
“I understand those criticisms. I was once in Daniel’s position – hearing people say I was ‘good enough but not great enough.’ But if you live in Indianapolis, you know Daniel Jones isn’t just a player, he’s the heart of this city. He doesn’t need to be Mahomes to become a legend. He just needs to be himself.”
In a single statement, Manning summed up the pride of Colts fans, affirming that Jones, though not in the same mold as Mahomes, has his own journey to greatness. The words were not just a defense of a quarterback, but a defense of a city that has long embraced a culture of resilience, loyalty, and passion — qualities that are often more significant than mere statistics.
The reaction was swift. Colts fans, who have rallied around Jones since he was signed, took to social media in droves. The hashtag #InDanielWeTrust trended on X (formerly Twitter) as Colts fans showed their unwavering support for their franchise quarterback, their voices echoing the sentiment that Jones’ greatness doesn't have to be measured by anyone else’s standards.
As Manning’s words spread across the internet, Daniel Jones, ever humble, addressed the situation with his trademark class. In his post-practice interview, when asked about Houshmandzadeh’s remarks, Jones responded with a calm and confident demeanor:
“I heard it, and honestly, I respect him. But I don’t play to become Mahomes — I play for Indianapolis, for the people who wake up every morning, put on No. 8, and believe today will be the day we win. Mahomes has his journey, I have my own. And I believe, if we keep fighting, that journey will lead us to where we deserve to be.”
In that brief but powerful response, Jones solidified his role as not just a player, but a leader who understands the weight of his position in the city of Indianapolis. The way he carried himself in the face of criticism was a testament to the type of man he is — one who plays for something much larger than personal accolades. His words were met with applause in the studio, and the host could only comment:
In many ways, this moment encapsulates the essence of what it means to be an Indianapolis Colt. From Peyton Manning’s days of leading the team to a Super Bowl victory to Jones’ rise as the face of the franchise, the Colts have always been about more than just victories on the field. In Indianapolis, it’s about the grit, the loyalty, and the determination to prove that their place in the league isn’t defined by comparisons.
As the season rolls on, it’s clear that the Colts are focused on carving out their own legacy, and Daniel Jones is the man at the helm, leading them with the spirit of a true Indianapolis son. From Manning to Jones, it’s evident that the Colts are a team built on heart — and that’s something no one can measure with stats or comparisons. It’s their greatest asset, and it’s a legacy no one can replicate.
In Indianapolis, it’s never been about being Mahomes. It’s about being the best version of themselves. And with Jones at the wheel, the city of Indianapolis believes this journey will lead to greatness — on their terms.
