Schlereth isn’t having it after Mike Sando slots Bo Nix in tier three

There’s a kind of frustration that builds in a fan base when the disrespect stops being subtle and starts being structured. A random social media take can be dismissed. A podcast hot take can be laughed off. But when The Athletic’s Mike Sando, one of the more respected voices in quarterback evaluation, releases his annual tier list and places Bo Nix a full tier below quarterbacks who haven’t accomplished what he has, the conversation moves from annoyance to genuine disbelief.

On a recent edition of “Stokley and Evans, with Mark Schlereth” on 104.3 The Fan, Mike Evans walked through Sando’s list one name at a time. And with each reveal, the temperature in the room climbed higher.

“Caleb Williams, tier two!” Evans said.

Mark Schlereth didn’t wait for context.

“No, now we’re just getting silly,” Schlereth said.

Evans continued down the list.

“Jayden Daniels, tier two!” Evans said.

Again, a quick rebuttal.

“Now, we’re just being dumb,” Schlereth fired back.

Then came the name that pushed the conversation past the point of measured disagreement.

“Baker Mayfield, tier two! Come on, Mike Sando,” Evans said.

The frustration was palpable. Williams, Daniels and Mayfield all landed in tier two, a designation that places them a full level above Nix despite résumés that don’t clearly separate themselves from what the Broncos quarterback has accomplished through two seasons.

Nix leads his entire draft class in touchdowns, passing yards and wins. He has taken Denver to back-to-back playoff appearances and an AFC Championship Game. And yet, he was left looking up at peers who haven’t matched that production.

Evans then revealed where Nix actually landed.

“No Bo. But he’s at the top of tier three,” Evans said.

He followed it with Sando’s definition of the tier.

“Alright, here’s how he defines tier three: Legit starter, but needs better running game or defense to win. Lower volume drop-back passing offense suits him best,” Evans said.

That description is where the ranking falls apart. Labeling Nix as a quarterback who needs a running game or defense to win ignores the fourth-quarter comebacks, the 11 one-score victories and the countless moments where Nix carried this team on his arm when the defense couldn’t hold up its end.

The tier-three definition reads like a player who survives because of his supporting cast. Nix’s track record says the opposite.

The top of tier three is not an insult in isolation. But when the tier above it includes quarterbacks who haven’t led their teams to the same heights, and in some cases, haven’t stayed healthy enough to try, the placement becomes impossible to defend.

Schlereth saw through it immediately. Broncos Country has seen through it for two years. And at this point, the only people who haven’t seem to be the ones making the lists.

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