One of the biggest topics in the NFL right now is the play of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.

Nix has looked like a shell of himself this season. He’s been hesitant to throw the ball down the field, and the Broncos’ offense has been very inefficient as a result.

The slump — if that’s what it is — couldn’t be coming at a worse time for Nix. The former Oregon star is eligible for a contract extension in the offseason, but he’s making it difficult for the Broncos to commit to him longterm.

ESPN insider says Bo Nix “is not poised to enter the upper echelon” of quarterbacks

ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler doesn’t think Nix is “poised to enter the upper echelon” of NFL quarterbacks.

Fowler pointed out that Nix doesn’t appear to be as much of a runner as he previously was.

“Denver is good enough to keep winning despite Nix showing a limited ceiling,” wrote Fowler. “He is a quality starter but is not poised to enter the upper echelon. Confidence appears to be an issue this season, raising questions about what this player-team marriage looks like long term. … Nix — who broke his right ankle in January — doesn’t appear to be the runner he once was. His viability with Denver might hinge on how he plays over the next 11 or so games.”

Fellow ESPN insider Dan Graziano agrees that Nix’s legs aren’t nearly as big of a weapon this season.

“I did have someone last week tell me the big difference with Nix was that he’s not getting himself out of bad spots with his legs the way he did last season but that he doesn’t look much different otherwise,” noted Graziano. “But that lack of running is a big deal, and if it doesn’t improve, we could be left watching his flaws the rest of the way.”

At this point, I don’t see how the Broncos give Nix a big extension. Maybe they can find some middle ground on a lower-cost deal that makes sense, but it’s hard to see Nix getting a big payday when he’s not willing to throw the ball more than 10 yards down the field and he’s suddenly not a threat as a runner.