Ryan Fitzpatrick criticizes Bo Nix after Broncos overtime win

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick delivered a sharp critique of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix following the team's overtime victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos improved to a 4-2 record in the young season, a result achieved despite a difficult early schedule that saw them play a brutal stretch of games. While the win kept the team above .500, Fitzpatrick argued that Nix's performance exposed a significant weakness in an otherwise talented roster. Fitzpatrick, who was present on the sidelines, stated that Nix is not playing competitively and that his approach is disrespectful to the quarterback position. He specifically pointed to a third-and-eight play where Nix threw the ball away instead of running a designed play to gain a first down. Fitzpatrick noted that Nix lacks trust from head coach Sean Payton, evidenced by the conservative play-calling and the fact that receivers were rarely targeted downfield. The criticism was so intense that it reportedly surprised Richard Sherman, who has been known for his own vocal outbursts during his career. Statistical data supports Fitzpatrick's observations regarding Nix's passing volume and distance. In the game against Seattle, Nix completed 17 of 27 passes for 107 yards. According to CBS researcher Doug Clawson, Nix currently ranks 701st out of 701 qualified quarterbacks over the last two decades in average pass length, with a figure of 4.9 air yards per attempt. The Broncos' offensive struggles were further highlighted by seven straight punts at one point and eight three-and-outs during the contest. Some observers have suggested that Nix may still be dealing with the effects of an ankle injury sustained in January, noting his reluctance to run from the pocket as a potential sign. However, Fitzpatrick maintained that the quality of play was indefensible, comparing Nix's conservative approach to that of Tua Tagovailoa in Miami but arguing it made Tagovailoa look more dynamic by comparison. The Broncos' win came against the Super Bowl champions, marking a significant achievement for a team that fell one game short of reaching the Super Bowl last season.