A former Denver Broncos player comes to Bo Nix’s defense.
The Brocos quarterback was widely criticized after his Oct. 15 performance in a 17-14 overtime win over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football,” including a scathing take on former NFL quarterback and current Prime Video analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick on the postgame show.
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“It was really frustrating to watch,” Fitzpatrick said. “Bo Nix doesn’t play competitively, it’s almost disrespectful to the quarterback position the way he plays football.”
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The new Thunder parade into the end zone as the old mascot was retired during the Denver Broncos’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.
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Look back as Broncos mascot Thunder retires after more than 30 years
The new Thunder parade into the end zone as the old mascot was retired during the Denver Broncos’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.
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Look back as Broncos mascot Thunder retires after more than 30 years
Denver Broncos mascot Thunder following a score during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High on October 22, 2023.
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The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder takes the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field At Mile High on December 14, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
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Ann Judge-Wegener rides Thunder onto the field before the game as the Denver Broncos host the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.
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Look back as Broncos mascot Thunder retires after more than 30 years
Denver Broncos mascot Thunder during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Sports Authority Field on December 23, 2012.
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Ann Judge Wegener rides Thunder as the Denver Broncos take the field to face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 12, 2013 in Denver, Colorado.
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General view of the Denver Broncos mascot Thunder before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018.
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Look back as Broncos mascot Thunder retires after more than 30 years
General view of the Denver Broncos mascot Thunder before the game against the New England Patriots in the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 19, 2014.
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Denver Broncos mascot Thunder and rider Ann Judge-Wegener enter the stadium before Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014.
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Look back as Broncos mascot Thunder retires after more than 30 years
Equestrian Ann Judge-Wegener brings Denver Broncos mascot “Thunder” out of the tunnel during player introductions during the pregame ceremony before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 13, 2015 in Denver, Colorado.
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Ann Judge-Wegener rides the Denver Broncos Thunder mascot after a touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on December 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.
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Denver Broncos mascot Thunder snacks before the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 17, 2016.
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Coach Ann Judge-Wegener rides the Denver Broncos Thunder mascot onto the field before Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California.
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Denver Broncos mascot Thunder runs onto the field before Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016.
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Thunder and Ann Judge come out of the tunnel in front of the Denver Broncos before the Broncos face the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 8, 2016 in Denver, Colorado.
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Denver Broncos mascot Thunder is taken onto the field by Ann Judge before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado.
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Equestrian Ann Judge-Wegener brings the Denver Broncos mascot “Thunder” out of the tunnel during player introductions before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.
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Thunder, the mascot of the Denver Broncos, walks along the sidelines against the Tennessee Titans during the NFL preseason August 19, 2006 at Mile High Stadium at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado.
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Denver Broncos mascot Thunder runs onto the field before the game against the New York Jets at Empower Field At Mile High on October 23, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.
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Ed McCaffrey, who played for the Broncos from 1995 to 2003 and won three Super Bowls during his NFL career, took to social media Friday to defend Nix.
“Stop, stop,” McCaffrey wrote of Nix’s criticism of X. “It’s already enough. Apparently winning isn’t enough anymore.”
Nix, in his sixth game after fracturing his ankle in a January playoff game, completed 17 of 27 passes for 107 yards and rushed four times for 2 yards in Thursday’s win over the Seahawks. The Broncos finished with just 168 total yards.
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Fitzpatrick went so far as to question Nix’s effort and competitiveness after the game and even said that Broncos head coach Sean Payton had “no confidence” in him.
“I can only imagine how Sean Payton feels,” Fitzpatrick said. “I mean, Sean Payton, (offensive coordinator) Davis Webb, everyone blocking for (Nix). He’s not competing right now, and it’s something he’s hung his hat on for the last two years. I don’t know if he’s still hurt, I don’t know what’s going on. But it’s not enough. It’s an effort.”
McCaffrey objected to this criticism. In response to a fan who said it was fair to criticize Nix, former wide receiver and father of 49ers superstar running back Christian McCaffrey said it was “fair” to “criticize the throws, the decisions, the offense.”
“But questioning Bo’s heart and desire to win? That’s another story,” McCaffrey wrote.
The Broncos are 4-2 this season after facing a daunting start to the schedule that included wins over the Jaguars, Rams, Chargers and Seahawks as well as losses to the Chiefs and undefeated 49ers.
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“The grass is not always greener,” McCaffrey told another commenter. “And 4-2 isn’t bad.”
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: “It’s already enough.” Former Bronco defends QB Bo Nix after scathing criticism
