The Denver Broncos might have one of the greatest defenses of all time in 2025. That’s not hyperbole. They have the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in cornerback Patrick Surtain II and the likely next NFL Defensive Player of the Year in edge rusher Nik Bonitto. The Broncos also have a real chance of breaking the NFL’s single season record for team sacks set by the 1984 Chicago Bears.
Winners of 7 consecutive games, the Broncos are now 8-2 with both of their losses coming in the last second of games in the first 3 weeks of the regular season.
The reason the Broncos aren’t undefeated falls almost squarely on the shoulders of second year quarterback Bo Nix, who has seen his sophomore campaign picked apart in the national media.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando put Nix in the category of “Too early to say, but there’s been good with the bad” in his NFL QB tiers alongside Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Sando also points out that the Broncos might have a limited ceiling with Nix under center.
“The Broncos have won seven consecutive games with a mixture of defense and fourth-quarter heroics from Nix and the offense,” Sando wrote on Thursday, November 13.”It’s an unsustainable formula that is temporarily tabling more consequential discussions regarding Nix’s trajectory. The quarterback’s year-over-year efficiency has declined by almost every measure except for sack rate, which was already low. It’s looking like next season will be defining for Nix’s trajectory with the Broncos.”
Nix’s play at the end of his rookie year in 2024 encouraged the Broncos and their fans he could take the momentum of leading the team to the playoffs for the first time in 9 years and spin it forward to 2025. That just hasn’t happened.
While Nix has been spectacular at times — mostly late in games — he’s been a frustrating player to watch the rest of the time.
The biggest problem, if we’re going to single one thing out, has been deep, downfield throws. Nix seems to be lacking the accuracy we’ve seen from other 2024 first round picks like New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
That’s too bad, because his struggles start to reflect poorly on what’s probably an underrated group of wide receivers led by Courtland Sutton and with young talent like second year wide receiver Troy Franklin and rookie Pat Bryant trailing not far behind.
Nix will be playing for big money in 2026, if he isn’t already. That’s when he’s eligible for his first big-time contract extension. Depending on how he plays over the rest of the year and next year, there could be a wild variation to what that amount ends up being.
Right now, Nix would probably be in line for a deal that would probably pay him in the range of $50 million to $60 million per year.
If he continues his current path of regression, it’s not hard to see the Broncos lowballing him along the lines of $30 million to $40 million per year, if not just outright parting ways with him after 2027.
Indianapolis, IN – Nov 13, 2025
What should have been a heartwarming moment for a young Colts fan quickly spiraled into a viral controversy during Sunday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins. The father of a young boy, celebrating his birthday, caught a home run ball, a rare moment of joy that should have been a lifelong memory. However, things took a turn for the worse when a gray-haired woman from the row behind them stormed up, demanding the ball for herself.
A Priceless Moment Turned Sour
The father, eager to share the special moment with his son, placed the ball into the boy’s glove, sparking cheers and excitement from those around them. But the scene quickly soured when the woman insisted that the ball belonged to her seat, shouting directly in the father’s ear.
“It’s my ball!” she yelled, making it clear she wasn’t leaving without it. The situation escalated quickly, with the father visibly uncomfortable but trying to avoid confrontation in front of his children. Reluctantly, he handed over the ball to the woman, much to the dismay of nearby fans, who responded with boos.
The Boy Speaks Out
The disappointed boy, Lincoln, spoke out later about the incident, explaining how he felt about the situation: “I wasn’t very happy that we had to give it to her, but we can’t win.” His words quickly resonated with the public, and the viral video sparked fierce debate about the entitlement of some fans and the lack of sportsmanship.
Harrison Bader Steps In
The Colts organization responded swiftly, with wide receiver Harrison Bader meeting the boy after the game. Bader presented Lincoln with a signed football and other memorabilia, hoping to soften the blow and restore the joy of his birthday. While the gesture was appreciated, many fans still felt that the original moment had been unfairly stolen from the young fan.
Jonathan Taylor Weighs In
As the story continued to unfold, it was revealed that Lincoln is actually the nephew of Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor, known for his leadership both on and off the field, didn’t hold back when asked about the viral incident.
“It’s infuriating to see an adult yelling at a kid and taking his ball—especially on his birthday,” Taylor said. “That was my nephew. In Indianapolis, we stand up for our kids, we protect them, and we make sure their joy always comes first.”
Taylor’s words quickly struck a chord with both Colts and football fans, with supporters rallying around the idea that protecting children’s happiness should always take precedence over a petty argument.
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
For many, the incident served as a powerful lesson about sportsmanship, the importance of respecting others’ moments, and the idea that some things—like a child’s happiness—are more important than winning a petty dispute over a ball.
As the video continues to spread across social media, it’s become clear that this is no longer just about a home run ball. It’s about a larger conversation regarding how we treat others, especially in a city that prides itself on loyalty, compassion, and standing up for what’s right.