Broncos QB Bo Nix voted ‘Tier 3’ in latest poll, No. 18 in the NFL

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix still isn’t getting as much respect nationally as he’s earned locally.

That’s been the case through two years of his NFL career.

Mike Sando of The Athletic released “quarterback tiers” on Tuesday based on a poll of 50 NFL executives and coaches. And Nix landed at No. 18 on the list, leading “Tier 3,” a very similar spot he was on ESPN’s same exercise earlier in the summer.

Right in front of Bo Nix is Trevor Lawrence with the Jaguars at No. 16 and Jalen Hurts with the Eagles at No. 17, although they’re both in “Tier 2.” Nix is first in the third tier, topping the likes of Aaron Rodgers (No. 19) and C.J. Stroud (No. 20).

2026 QB Tiers is live!!@TheAthletic keeps raising the bar in terms of production quality

This year you can produce your own tiers with your own votes

Link in replies pic.twitter.com/MAy63JiKz5

— Mike Sando (@SandoNFL) August 4, 2026

“Nix jumped from the middle of Tier 3, where he debuted last year, to the verge of Tier 2 after leading the league in game-winning drives with seven,” Sando wrote in his story.

He also had some interesting (and anonymous) quotes from executives and coaches.

“He plays big in big moments. But just as easily as he can win games for you, he can lose games for you. They are as good as they are largely because their defense is as good as it is, and Sean Payton does a nice job helping him make plays within his skill set,” one exec told Sando.

Bo Nix and the Broncos went 14-3 a year ago and he won his only playoff start while breaking his ankle in OT against the Bills. It’s hard to remember Nix losing the Broncos many, if any, games. So that critique from the executive seems misguided.

One coach was a lot higher on Nix and gave him his flowers, putting him in Tier 1.

“I like his command, his confidence,” this coach told Sando. “Yeah, the scheme helps him, but still, you just can’t plug anybody in there to make that scheme go.”

The article went on discuss that Drew Brees and Payton were so successful in New Orleans because Brees wasn’t afraid to fire back at Payton, something Bo Nix has demonstrated through his first two years in the NFL.

It’s clear Nix respects his head coach, while also not being bothered to bark if Payton barks first.

Ultimately, Bo Nix is going to have to win a Super Bowl to take another legitimate leap up these lists. It seems even making the AFC Title Game and then not being able to play didn’t sway opinions much.

Although it could be worse, former CU Buffs star quarterback Shedeur Sanders is No. 35 on this list, checking in dead last.

To see the full QB Tiers from Sando and The Athletic, click here.

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