Why isn’t Bo Nix playing for the Broncos against the Patriots in the Conference Championship game?

The Broncos’ last Super Bowl appearance was a decade ago and this evening at Empower Field, Sean Payton’s men have a chance at repeating history. The New England Patriots were the rivals in the 2015 AFC Championship Game - the same team that stands in the way of a place at Super Bowl LX.

Denver face the challenge without starting quarterback Bo Nix. Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle during the penultimate play of overtime, in last week’s 33-30 Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills.

“It was the second-to-last play, before he threw the pass to [Marvin] Mims,” head coach Payton told reporters after the game. “Birmingham is where he will have the surgery, with Doctor Waldrop. It is what it is and we felt it would be best to tell everyone now. This team all year has lost key players, and we’ll rise up for the next challenge and we’ll go from there”.

Nix underwent surgery at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center on Tuesday and is ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Who will replace Nix as the Broncos’ QB?

Payton confirmed that former New England Patriot QB Jarrett Stidham “is ready to go” and will face his old team in the most important game of the year so far. The 29-year-old will be tasked with leading an offense that had finally found rhythm, balance, and creativity. Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup quarterback.

Stidham has seen little action since signing for Denver in 2023. He made three appearances in both of his first two seasons, completing 40 of 66 passing attempts and finishing with nine carries for eight yards in his debut year.

During the current campaign, he has featured just once - in the 44-24 regular season win over the Cowboys on October 26.

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