In a twist that’s left Denver Broncos fans scratching their heads, second-year quarterback Bo Nix is finding himself overshadowed by a player who hasn’t even stepped onto an NFL field for a regular-season snap. If Nix needs a spark to fuel his 2025 campaign, he won’t have to look further than the internet, where NFL analysts seem to have written him off before the season even begins.
The Shocking Rankings
Fox Sports NFL reporter Henry McKenna dropped a bombshell in his latest NFL starting quarterback rankings, placing Nix at a lowly No. 14. That’s right—two spots behind Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a player who has yet to start a single NFL game. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, missed his entire rookie season after tearing his meniscus in the preseason, spending 2024 on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Nix, drafted just two picks later at No. 12, started all 17 games for the Broncos, led them to their first playoff appearance since 2015, and finished as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up.
McKenna’s reasoning? He believes McCarthy’s situation in Minnesota is so ideal that “you could put just about anyone in the Vikings’ QB slot, and I’d get excited about him.” He even compared McCarthy to 2023 Brock Purdy, suggesting the young quarterback could thrive as an “athletic point guard with an idyllic supporting cast.” For Nix, who’s already proven himself on the field, this kind of dismissal stings.
A Historic Draft Class
Nix and McCarthy were part of a record-breaking 2024 NFL Draft, where six quarterbacks were selected in the first round, tying the all-time mark. The draft also made history with an unprecedented 14 consecutive offensive players taken to open the night. McCarthy, fresh off leading Michigan to an undefeated season and a College Football Playoff national championship in 2023, was expected to compete with Sam Darnold for the Vikings’ starting job. However, his injury opened the door for Darnold, who threw for career highs of 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod and a lucrative three-year, $100 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.
Despite Darnold’s success, the Vikings remain confident in McCarthy’s potential, letting Darnold walk. On the other hand, Nix earned his starting role in Denver by outshining veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson in training camp, proving his worth through grit and performance.
More Disrespect from PFF
It’s not just Fox Sports undervaluing Nix. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him even lower, slotting him at No. 19 among NFL starting quarterbacks—six spots below McKenna’s already questionable ranking. The Denver Post’s Troy Renck didn’t hold back in his critique, arguing that Nix deserves to be ranked ahead of at least three quarterbacks: Arizona’s Kyler Murray, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa.
“There are three quarterbacks Nix deserves to be ahead of based on last season,” Renck wrote on May 24. “Murray and Tua get bumped because of injuries, and Lawrence just isn’t that guy anymore. He owns a 2-13 record over his past 15 games with 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions … So, no, 19th does not do him justice. Not his rookie season. Or where he is going.”
Fuel for the Fire
For a quarterback like Nix, who’s already defied expectations by leading a resurgent Broncos team to the playoffs as a rookie, these rankings could serve as the ultimate motivation. While analysts bet against him, Nix has the chance to prove them wrong on the field in 2025. With a full season of experience under his belt and a chip on his shoulder, the former Oregon star is poised to show the NFL that he’s not just a flash in the pan.
As for McCarthy? He’s got big shoes to fill in Minnesota, and the pressure is on to live up to the hype. For now, maybe Nix should steer clear of the internet and let his play do the talking. After all, nothing silences doubters like results.