Box Nix 2025: Sophomore Slump or Progress?

[iknowftbll]

The Broncos season is over after a disappointing but not surprising loss to the Bills. At the end of the campaign we can point to two major factors that sum up why this season was such a success.

The first is Vance Joseph getting his no-name unit to play "above their talent level." I put that in quotes because I think anyone who makes an NFL roster or even a practice squad is an insanely gifted athlete so people shouldn't be surprised when a roster of elite athletes turn in an elite performance. But they did so against other elite athletes and let's not kid ourselves, PSII is the only player on that defense who was an NFL household name before this season. It's not like Vance Joseph had what wade Phillips had in 2015. I was very skeptical this defense would be any good going into the season and they proved to be one of the top defenses in the league.

The second major factor, and the one that will more greatly influence the long term success of the franchise for the next decade plus, is Bo Nix. His play as a rookie has Broncos Country completely abuzz, despite an early playoff exit. Now we've seen it many many times: Rookie comes in and starts and has a great season, but regresses in his second season. So it's a fair question to ask, will we see that from Bo Nix?

My instincts say probably not, and here's why.

Nix had a remarkable season and as I've said many many times, he did so all while playing without a full deck. We didn't have a consistently good running game, and we had nothing that even remotely resembles a legitimate receiving threat at TE. I have got to believe we will see the front office address both of these in the off season. We have a little more space in the cap and a near-complete complement of draft selections, which is something else we've lacked in a long time. So we are in a good position to shore up the TE and RB positions to better round out our offense. I think shoring up even one of the two significantly helps Nix avoid any potential regression.

I think we see Nix take a nice step forward and elevate this offense to the next level. That would be awesome especially if we can get a similar output from the defense in 2025.

My thoughts, let's hear yours.

 

[LGM]

This dove tails right into my thought process, which is why we will likely address RB and TE in the draft AND in FA. You really can't trust a rooke RB in the passing game as a blocker; especially in Payton's scheme. And we all saw Dulcich buckle under injury and trying to fit into that scheme. So my guess is we find a rb with experience either with Payton's scheme, or something similar and bring them in short term. Same with the TE. But either way I expect both positions to be packed in like sardines during rookie camps and pre season since they were the two most glaring holes on this offense.

As for Bo, I'm 100% agreed. Barring some change in the scheme or the coaching staff, Nix will be even better next year.

Now in year 3 without Webb (because it's coming), that's a different story.

 

[CEH]

i think with the technology in the golf industry Bo should look into a place like Titleist TPI.
you see the QBs already doing a lot a hip shoulder separation drills pregame which equates to a better throwing motion

maybe he has.

 

[iknowftbll]

This dove tails right into my thought process, which is why we will likely address RB and TE in the draft AND in FA. You really can't trust a rooke RB in the passing game as a blocker; especially in Payton's scheme. And we all saw Dulcich buckle under injury and trying to fit into that scheme. So my guess is we find a rb with experience either with Payton's scheme, or something similar and bring them in short term. Same with the TE. But either way I expect both positions to be packed in like sardines during rookie camps and pre season since they were the two most glaring holes on this offense.

As for Bo, I'm 100% agreed. Barring some change in the scheme or the coaching staff, Nix will be even better next year.

Now in year 3 without Webb (because it's coming), that's a different story.

For sure, but ideally by then Nix will be a field general.