Bo Nix Checks Every Box in Impressive Preseason Debut vs. Packers

Bo Nix is back and he looks like he never left the field.

Seven months after fracturing his ankle in the playoffs, Nix got the start on Friday night in the Denver Broncos' second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Sean Payton targeted roughly 14 snaps for his third-year signal-caller, and Nix ended up playing 15 snaps.

On the Broncos' first possession of the night, Nix led the offense on a six-play, 65-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 21-yard touchdown pass to running back RJ Harvey on a well-executed wheel route.

Bo Nix lookin like he never left. Sick throw to Harvey for SIX 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/rHnIaLhQIr
— Mile High Huddle (@MileHighHuddle) August 22, 2026

A big chunk of the Broncos' yardage on that drive came from Nix's 35-yard connection to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who made his debut in the Orange and Blue against the Packers.

Nix's second bite at the apple was a nine-play, 25-yard drive, which saw the starting offensive line stay in, while the backups entered at all the other skill positions. The drive stalled, but Wil Lutz kicked a 53-yard field goal.

That was it for Nix on the night. In his return to the field, he went 6-of-9 passing for 76 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a quarterback rating of 129.9.

Again, Nix didn't look like he was coming off a seven-month layoff, let alone a fractured ankle that required two surgeries this past offseason. He checked every box, looking comfortable and poised, showcasing his mobility to buy time, making use of his weapons, and producing points on both possessions.

The Waddle Effect

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) reacts before the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Waddle was only targeted once, but Nix looked his way on third down. The throw went down the right seam, and after hauling in the ball, Waddle turned on the jets to cross midfield and gain 35 yards.

That speed after the catch is scary. Jaylen Waddle, it's gonna be a GREAT year! pic.twitter.com/T1btl9VaVJ
— Mile High Huddle (@MileHighHuddle) August 22, 2026

The Broncos expect to see a lot more of the Nix-to-Waddle connection after giving up a first- and third-round draft pick to acquire him from the Miami Dolphins back in March. So far, so good.

Waddle enters his sixth NFL season and first as a Bronco. He has three 1,000-yard receiving seasons as a pro, though it's been a couple of years since his last.

The Broncos are fixing to get Waddle back to the 1,000-yard milestone. Meanwhile, he's complemented by Pro Bowl wideout Courtland Sutton, tight end Evan Engram, and a young dynamic receiver trio in Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., and Troy Franklin.

Mims did not play on Friday night. He's missed both preseason games thus far, after suffering a soft-tissue injury on the seventh day of Broncos training camp back on August 7.

Also kept out of action was starting running back J.K. Dobbins. He's not injured; the Broncos are just playing it safe with the veteran running back after re-signing him to a two-year, $16 million contract in the offseason.

The Takeaway

Nix showed everything fans hoped to see in his return to the gridiron. It was fitting that his 2026 debut was at home in front of the Mile High faithful.

Payton said the plan is for Nix to also get some snaps in the final preseason game next week against the Minnesota Vikings. We'll find out next week how many snaps the Broncos plan to feed Nix.

From there, the NFL deadline for cutting rosters down to the final 53 players is on August 30. The Broncos will take care of that business, then turn their full attention to Week 1's road trip to take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday Night Football.

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