“That right there is trash,” former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said of Bo Nix, capturing the fierce debate surrounding the Denver Broncos’ latest victory despite a winning record.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Seattle Seahawks 17-14 in an overtime thriller during their sixth game of the NFL season, improving their record to 4-2. While quarterback Bo Nix avoided the costly turnovers that plagued opposing quarterback Sam Darnold—who threw two interceptions—his performance drew a scathing review from analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick on Prime Video’s broadcast team.
Ryan Fitzpatrick Condemns the Lack of Fighting Spirit
Fitzpatrick did not hold back during the post-game analysis, arguing that the quarterback failed to exhibit the necessary drive expected at the professional level. “Bo Nix is not playing with the required fighting spirit,” Fitzpatrick said on air. “The way he is playing right now is almost disrespectful to the quarterback position.” The analyst also pointed to conservative play-calling as evidence of a lack of faith, noting that head coach Sean Payton dialed up a screen pass on a third-and-eight situation. Fitzpatrick questioned whether an undisclosed injury was affecting the player, emphasizing that his effort fell well short of standard expectations.
Ryan Fitzpatrick does not hold back on Denver Broncos Bo Nix pic.twitter.com/HOtaN8oT53
The critique extended beyond tactical decisions into questions of on-field presence and leadership. “There is no fire and no passion,” Fitzpatrick added, stating that many former players watching the broadcast felt the performance lacked professional standards. “A lot of former players watch this game and think: ‘That right there is trash. This effort is trash. No NFL quarterback plays like that. We deserve better.'”
Advanced Metrics Highlight an Exceptionally Conservative Passing Attack
The statistical breakdown of the game reinforces the concerns raised by analysts regarding the depth and efficiency of the Denver passing game. Nix completed 17 of 27 pass attempts for 107 yards, averaging a meager 4.04 air yards per pass. Throughout the contest, he attempted only three passes traveling more than ten yards downfield, while ten throws were directed at or behind the line of scrimmage.
These numbers align with a broader statistical trend identified by CBS Sports NFL reporter Doug Clawson. Among 701 quarterbacks over the past 20 seasons after six games played, Nix ranks 701st in average pass depth, sitting at 4.9 yards per pass attempt. Despite this ultra-conservative approach, the Broncos sit at 4-2, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs in the competitive AFC West standings.
Denver Maintains Positive Standing in AFC West Race
Even with an offense generating heavy scrutiny, the Broncos occupy a position in the division behind the 4-0 Chiefs. Head coach Sean Payton, offensive coordinator Davis Webb, and the rest of the coaching staff face a significant challenge in unlocking downfield production as the season progresses. Denver prepares for its upcoming schedule while evaluating how to extract more aggressive execution from their starting quarterback.
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