NFL players hate being compared to others, especially when it's a QB. Bo Nix is uncomfortable with these comparisons
Earlier this week, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio compared Bo Nix to Baker Mayfield. Fangio was highly complimentary of the Denver Broncos' quarterback, and also opined that Sean Payton had found his "quarterback of the future."
On Thursday, Nix held his weekly presser at Broncos HQ. It didn't take long for him to be asked about Fangio's comments, specifically the Mayfield angle. His response may have thieved the joy right out of Fangio's praise.
“Baker’s playing at a high level, so anytime you get compared to a good competitor like that, it’s great. But at the same time, I’m just in my lane doing what I can do to help our team win," Nix said. "Comparison is sometimes the thief of all joy. Got to be careful comparing to other people or you’ll miss what’s right in front of you.”
In all honesty, Nix wasn't saying anything negative; NFL players hate being compared to others, especially when it's a quarterback. Mayfield is one of the most competitive humans alive, and Nix does share some traits, as Fangio observed.
"He's a lot like Baker Mayfield. I think he might be Baker's younger brother. Really good, really, really good. ...I mean he's a scrambler, he's a competitor," Fangio said this week, via
It's not that Nix isn't appreciative of Fangio's kind words. But he's got a job to do and whether he plays like Mayfield has absolutely no bearing on whether the Broncos can go in and upset the Eagles at home.
That seems to be more the stance that Nix was taking. The Eagles are the defending World Champions, and Fangio's defense has been known to confound many a quarterback.
Fangio's Defense: Like VJ's?
When studying Fangio's defense, though, Nix couldn't help but notice the similarities to Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph's scheme, which is ironic. Joseph went from being cut from the Wade Phillips cloth — man coverage and pressure, pressure, pressure — to implementing some of the Fangio concepts because that's what the Broncos' collection of personnel at the time knew best and were most comfortable with.
“I kind of feel like it’s similar to watching VJ’s. I think they come from the same tree," Nix said of Fangio's defense. "They obviously rely heavily on their front seven. They do a good job of flowing to the ball, getting pressure without bringing blitzes, and they keep everything in front of them in the back end."
In the literal sense, no, Fangio and Joseph don't spring from the same coaching tree. Heck, Fangio's been in the league so long, he is the tree. And his brand of defense has been the trend in the NFL for a half-decade.
Fangio springs off the Jim Mora Sr. tree, spending his first few years under him in New Orleans back in the 1980s. Fangio served as the linebackers coach of the Saints for nine seasons, helping to berth the 'Dome Patrol' with Steve Sidwell as defensive coordinator.
Fangio also credits much of his defensive acumen to the influence of Dom Capers, his boss for the four years he spent as defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers back in the 1990s when the NFL debuted them as an expansion team.
Joseph really cut his teeth as the defensive backs coach of the Houston Texans, back when Phillips was their defenisive coordinator under head coach Gary Kubiak. Joseph would also spend a couple of years under Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati, which accounts for the majority of his coaching tree and influence.
The Bengals famously blocked Joseph for interviewing for the Broncos' defensive coordintaor job in 2015, so Kubiak instead hired Phillips. Two years later, the Broncos needed a new coach, and John Elway hired Joseph to succeed Kubiak as head coach, while Phillips left for the Los Angeles Rams.
Taking What Fangio Gives
Bringing it back to Nix, he recognizes that Fangio isn't going to make it easy on him and the Broncos to move the ball and score points. The key focus has to be taking what Fangio's defense gives him, and when the opportunity to strike is there, Nix absolutely has to hit it.
"It’s going to be a challenge to find explosive plays, but at the same time, it’s not getting bored, continuing to do the same stuff over and over throughout the game," Nix said. "When it’s there, you also have to be able to hit it. They’ll give us our opportunities, we’ve got to hit it, but at the same time, we’re going to have to work for them.”
Xavier Worthy reveals team’s mindset prior to defeating Ravens
The Kansas City Chiefs entered Week 4’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with a 1-2 record. The game took on added significance for fans as the Chiefs looked to avoid their worst start since 2015 – the last time KC failed to win the AFC West.
Xavier Worthy’s return from injury would give the Chiefs a much-needed boost in the clash between conference foes. But while fans were stressing about Kansas City’s record, the second-year wideout wasn’t concerned.
“Nobody stresses out. It’s football at the end of the day. You don’t treat no game bigger than the next. If it’s a regular season game, if it’s the Super Bowl, it’s football at the end of the day. You grew up playing your whole life. So just go out there and have fun, let it loose,” Worthy said of the Chiefs’ attitude ahead of the Ravens matchup, per NFL on ESPN.
Chiefs improve to 2-2 in Xavier Worthy’s Week 4 return
Worthy dislocated his shoulder in a collision with Travis Kelce in the season opener. The Chiefs lost the first two games of the campaign, falling to their division rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. Kansas City then came up short against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
The team bounced back with a victory over the then-winless New York Giants. But beating the Ravens elevated the Chiefs’ standing in the AFC. Worthy was able to return after a two-week absence. And the former first-round pick delivered a strong performance with five receptions for 83 yards.
Still, Worthy insists the team didn’t regard the 2023 AFC Championship Game rematch as any more meaningful than any other game on the schedule.
“Everybody just stayed level-headed and calm … Coach Reid says it all the time, ‘I’ll treat you to a cheeseburger after the game.’ … That just shows the joy we have around here playing the game,” Worthy added.
Now 2-2, Kansas City looks to put its slow start to the season in the rearview. The Chiefs take on the 3-1 Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football in Week 5.
