Broncos QB Bo Nix Tapped as One of NFL's 'Most Important Players'

Five weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the league appears to be wide open. After the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills fell this past week, there are already zero undefeated teams remaining in the league.

While many of the familiar faces are still the favorites at the top of the league, such as the Bills, Eagles, and Detroit Lions, there doesn't seem to be any overwhelming teams that should bulldoze their way into the Super Bowl this early in the season.

So if the spot at the top of the league is open, why not the Denver Broncos? According to Good Morning Football’s Kyle Brandt, the Broncos have the pieces to win it all this season.

However, it’s going to come down to the biggest question mark and the most important position in sports: the quarterback. Discussing the NFL's most important players, Brandt said that Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is as likely as any to determine the fate of the league this season.

“I think Bo Nix is one of the most important players in the NFL. He’s very important, pivotal player. If he has 'it,' anything is possible," Brandt said. "If Bo Nix continues to blossom this year, the Broncos could win the Super Bowl this year. They have the coach. They have the defense."

An Inconsistent Start

Oct 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

As Brandt hints, Nix has been somewhat erratic to start his second season in the NFL.

"Can he [Nix] make enough plays? I don’t know. First half (versus the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles) was rough, second half was excellent. I don’t know who he’s going to be. He’s so young in the league. He’s so inexperienced," Brandt said.

After coming off of a statistically impressive rookie season, the former 12th overall pick finds himself near the mid-to-bottom of the league statistically in EPA/Play at 0.074 (ranks 24th out of 37 quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks). Nix has a QBR of 55.0 (19th out of the top 32) and a 

"If he really has that run that he gets better and better and we’re looking in December like ‘Wow, Nix has really turned the corner,' then Denver is going to be very, very formidable. They are one of those teams that they could win the whole thing. I mean it," Brandt said. "Joe Burrow went to the Super Bowl the second year. It all came together. They are built differently than that (Bengals) team but (Nix) is a very important player. I don’t know who he’s going to be. Who he decides to be is going to determine a lot of fates in the AFC because Denver has got it together.”

The Broncos’ pass success rate of 44.2% is the fly in the ointment, and it's also indicative of a team that needs to be far more consistent on a down-to-down basis going forward. Denver ranks 26th in the league in pass success rate.

Outside of Nix’s ability to avoid sacks and pressure to sack rate, there aren’t too many statistical categories that indicate he has played well through five games this season

Payton's History of Slow Starts

Nix’s less than stellar statistical output to date this year is not all on him. Sean Payton teams have a history of starting slow and every stat in football is a system stat to some extent.

Nothing in football happens in isolation, and anything working is dependent on so many individual variables executing. Still, it's okay to say that Nix needs to play a more consistent brand of football than he's displayed so far in 2025.

Fortunately, there are ample reasons for optimism. On the whole, Nix has seemed to improve each and every week so far.

There are flashes of arm talent, ball placement, and athleticism displayed each week that are indicative of a quarterback who could lead a team of the quality surrounding him very far this year. Furthermore, Nix has the belief of his teammates and coaching staff as well, who have praised his ability, maturity, and leadership at nearly every opportunity presented.

After a rather disappointing rushing output by the Broncos in 2024, despite a quality offensive line, they appear to have ratcheted up their ground attack from poor to average at worst. Further, the Broncos’ offensive line and defense appear to be top-notch once again, and Payton, despite some of the offense’s inconsistencies, is still scheming up chunk-play opportunities and red-zone play designs as well as any offensive mind in the league.

The Takeaway

In the NFL, the quarterback will always receive more praise when things are going well than warranted and more blame when things are going poorly than necessary. Football is the ultimate team game, and Nix is still just five weeks into his second year in the league, playing under one of the most demanding offensive minds in football.

Still, Brandt is likely correct in his analysis. This Broncos team, as long as it remains relatively healthy, does have the coaching and personnel in place to be as good as anyone in football this season.

Just how successful this version of the Broncos can be will depend on how much better Nix can play and where his level of execution ultimately settles as the 2025 season marches on.

Saints Field Shocking Trade Offer from Super Bowl Contender

Should the Saints trade Cam Jordan?

The Saints are amidst a complete rebuild. This has led to speculation about New Orleans trading their veteran players. One of the players who have received attention is Cameron Jordan. 

Josh Weil at Pro Football Network proposed a trade that could be beneficial for both sides.

First off, losing Jordan would hurt on the field, but be devastating off it. He is a franchise legend and a community cornerstone. In addition, he is having an outstanding season, with 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. Trading him would be a tough decision, and likely one the Saints won’t make. However, every player has a price.

In this proposal, Jordan gets shipped off to the San Francisco 49ers and the Saints get a 2026 third-round pick. He would go to a championship contender and the Saints would get significant draft capital. It would make sense for both sides if New Orleans would be willing to move on.

The capital is great, but the trade is unlikely

Obtaining a third round pick for a 36 year old player is amazing value. Rebuilding wise, it’s a perfect trade. Weil makes some great points on why it would make sense. However, it still seems unlikely the Saints would pull the trigger.

“The Saints are committed to a rebuild, and Kellen Moore still has the boys playing hard, which you must respect.” Weil said, “Look for some veterans to leave New Orleans and for Moore to look to bring in guys who match more with the style he intends to play there.”

Jordan has clearly stated his desire to finish his career in the Big Easy. It’s unlikely the Saints would cross him and send him elsewhere. In addition, he’s still a big contributor defensively. Even if they get draft capital, it’s tough to see them moving on.

This trade would create some financial issues. Trading Jordan would net $17.5 million in dead money according to Over the Cap. This would put the Saints approximately $7.5 million over the salary cap this season. Nothing they couldn’t fix, but still an added complication.

This trade makes sense on paper. They ship off a veteran player and get some draft capital back. However, it’s still unlikely to happen. Cameron Jordan means too much to the team and community to trade, plus it would create some financial restrictions.

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