FOOTBALL: Sean Payton: 'Work begins tonight' for Broncos without Bo Nix

One day after the Denver Broncos’ bittersweet win that advanced them to the AFC Championship Game, head coach Sean Payton remained confident about the team’s future.

Following Saturday’s 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills, Payton returned to the postgame podium and announced that quarterback Bo Nix had suffered a broken right ankle, ending his season.

That means when the top-seeded Broncos take the field Sunday at home for a chance to reach the Super Bowl, Jarrett Stidham will start at quarterback. Stidham, a former fourth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2019, has not thrown a pass in two seasons and has only four career NFL starts.

Stidham will also face his former team, as the second-seeded Patriots come to Denver after defeating the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday.

Despite the sudden change, the Broncos are not acting like they are at a disadvantage.

“I know how (Patriots offensive coordinator Josh) McDaniels felt about him when he brought him from New England to Vegas (in 2022),” Payton said about Stidham. “Then I know reports on how he played, and then we saw him play real time. But ultimately… it’s our three years here. In our three years, watching him day in and day out, you guys don’t have access to. He will be ready to go and ready for the moment.”

Nix has been the centerpiece of the Broncos’ resurgence this season, leading them from just one playoff appearance and no postseason wins in nine seasons to the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 14-3 record. Nix completed 63.4% of his passes for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his second NFL season.

Payton refused to count his team out, citing several examples of backup quarterbacks who found success under pressure.

“Historically speaking, all bets weren’t off with (former Giants QB Jeff) Hostetler,” Payton said. “They weren’t off in Philly (with former Eagles QB Nick Foles). We lost (former Saints QB Drew) Brees midseason against the Rams, and (Buccaneers QB Teddy) Bridgewater won five in a row.

“All bets can be off. They weren’t off for Houston this year when (Davis) Mills came in. I don’t know if he lost a game. The plan always has to be built around the type and skill set of the players you’re playing with. So are there certain things that Bo does differently than Stiddy? Absolutely. That’s where the work begins tonight.”

Payton also shared details about how the injury unfolded. He explained that Nix first felt pain on his third-to-last play of the game.

“He centers the ball for us, and then as he comes over, I kind of chest bump him, jab him like, ‘Freaking A!’ And he’s like, ‘Careful.’ I’m like, ‘You all right?’ He said, ‘Yes, but it’s hurting.’ I said, ‘What do you got?’ He said, ‘My ankle.’ I said, ‘All right, you’ll be fine,’ and I jabbed him in the chest again. I said, ‘Just enjoy this field goal.’”

The celebration was interrupted when Payton returned to his office and learned the severity of the injury. He said the medical staff, along with general manager George Paton, were waiting for him.

“They didn’t say anything, but I knew there was something,” Payton said. “We always meet after the game and discuss injuries, but that was early. They said, ‘Look, there’s a fracture.’ They showed me the X-ray. Immediately, I walked down the hall. Bo was kind of sitting outside the locker room, leaning up against the wall. His wife, his parents, family there, I think (Stidham), a few others. I just asked him how he was doing, ‘Are you hanging in there?’”

The Broncos’ confidence in Stidham comes from his experience practicing against Denver’s defense over the last three seasons.

“One of (Stidham’s) great strengths is his mental aptitude and his progressions in understanding plays,” Payton said. “There’d be practices where I’m looking at Vance, like getting pissed off because Stiddy is making our defense look bad. He’s very accurate. He has a lot to his ball.”

Denver has limited experience behind Stidham. Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup quarterback for the Patriots game. The 27-year-old played in eight games (three starts) for the Indianapolis Colts from 2021-23, and this is his first season with the Broncos.

The team also signed Ben DiNucci to the practice squad on Sunday. DiNucci, 29, spent time with Denver in 2023, mostly on the practice squad. His only NFL appearances were in 2020 with the Dallas Cowboys, playing in three games and starting one.

Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins said he doesn’t believe Denver will be hurt by Nix’s absence.

“Good offense in the air and their running game is good, too,” Hawkins said after the win over Houston. “They create explosive plays, they have a good tight end group, good receiver, a couple receivers, as well. But yeah, good team.”

—Field Level Media/Reuters