Colin Cowherd made waves this week with a statement so bold that Denver Broncos Bo Nix himself probably wouldn’t co-sign it. The Fox Sports host, reacting to Lamar Jackson’s drop in ESPN’s annual quarterback poll and the Ravens star’s ranking as the 69th best player by his peers, went all-in on a take that defies the résumé of a 2-time MVP.

“I no longer trust Lamar Jackson in a big spot. I’m selling my stock. I’d take Bo Nix in a fourth-quarter come-from-behind situation over Lamar Jackson,” Cowherd said.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Bo Nix had a strong year, but context matters

Nix did take a legitimate step forward in his second season under Broncos coach Sean Payton. He showed growth as a passer, made plays in critical moments, and helped Denver win a lot of games. He performed well in the playoffs, too, right up until a broken ankle cost him the AFC Championship Game. That trajectory is encouraging, and nobody should diminish what he accomplished.

But there were also stretches during the 2025 season where the Broncos quarterback struggled. He wasn’t always consistent, even if the fourth quarter often brought out his best. The truth is, Nix still needs a big Year 3 in Denver to truly solidify himself as a franchise quarterback. That’s not a knock on the player. It’s an honest assessment of where he stands in his development.

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Lamar Jackson’s résumé speaks for itself

Jackson has won 2 MVP awards. Has his postseason track record matched his regular-season dominance? Absolutely not. That’s a fair criticism, and it’s one that follows him every January. But the gap between what Jackson has accomplished in the NFL and what Nix has accomplished is enormous. Nix hasn’t achieved an eighth of what the Baltimore quarterback has done in this league.

Cowherd’s argument seems to lean entirely on Jackson’s playoff shortcomings while ignoring the mountain of evidence that says Jackson is one of the most dynamic and productive quarterbacks of his generation. To say you’d take Nix over Jackson in a pressure-packed, come-from-behind situation requires ignoring years of data suggesting otherwise.

The bottom line

In my opinion, not a single person in Denver, including Sean Payton, would take Bo Nix over Lamar Jackson right now. That’s not a slight against Nix. He could very well develop into a franchise cornerstone for the Broncos. He has the tools, the coaching, and the opportunity.

But Cowherd’s take runs ahead of reality. Nix still has to prove he belongs in that upper tier of NFL quarterbacks before anyone can seriously slot him above a player with Jackson’s credentials. This looks like a media personality letting frustration with Jackson’s January struggles cloud a clear-eyed evaluation of both players. Let Nix earn that kind of comparison with a dominant third season first.