Bo Nix 1 of 5 quarterbacks seen as longshot NFL MVP candidates
Bo Nix 1 of 5 quarterbacks seen as longshot NFL MVP candidates originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has spent the majority of the team's offseason activities discussing the health of the ankle he broke in the divisional round of the playoffs last season and there are doubters lining up behind the Broncos this season because of that ankle.The Broncos are seen by many as one of the most complete teams in the NFL heading into the 2026 season, but they also have plenty of critics and most of those critics don't seem to believe that Nix is a good quarterback despite the success he's found since being drafted in the first round in 2024.But Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report can envision a scenario in which he wins this year's Most Valuable Player Award. Trevor Lawrence, Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray and Jaxson Dart also make that list, but here was Gagnon's analysis on why Nix could walk away with it."Like (Trevor) Lawrence, Nix will be competing with the likes of Allen, Jackson and Mahomes in the AFC. In fact, the top six MVP odds belong to AFC quarterbacks.The 2024 No. 12 overall pick is also looking to bounce back from a minor sophomore slump statistically, with his efficiency slipping into the middle of the pack among qualified passers in 2025.Plus, he's working his way back from a second ankle surgery this offseason, a follow-up procedure to address bone spurs.Why It Could HappenWord is he'll be afull goat training camp, and Year 3 is often a big leap season for an NFL quarterback.The 26-year-old should benefit from even more time in Sean Payton's system, with some potential new energy from Davis Webb at OC.And with a jacked offensive line, a world-class defense and the arrival of veteran wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Nix has optimal support."It's not as crazy to suggest this as some would think. The MVP generally comes from one of the best teams and more often than not, it goes to the quarterback. If the Broncos have another strong season and push for the Super Bowl, Nix could easily be on a short list of candidates to win it. He will have to have the statistics, of course, but winning games in the NFL often translates to winning that award.However, Gagnon may have left out one key factor as to why it could happen... hunger. Nix is going to be incredibly hungry to make up for the fact that he had to sit on the sidelines and watch his team fall to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game last year. The Patriots won that game, played in blizzard conditions, by a field goal, due to the Broncos having no offensive push without their starting quarterback. It's widely believed that the team would have played in the Super Bowl had Nix not gotten hurt, and he is going to want to give every ounce of himself this season to get back to that spot.HOT READ:Broncos' recent signing labeled 'one to watch', has chance to make 53-man rosterMore Broncos ContentBroncos sign two players after minicamp tryout, move on from undrafted cornerbackCould the Broncos release linebacker Jonathon Cooper amid legal troubles?Broncos should be closely monitoring two veteran free agents who played for same team in 2025Broncos move on from two recently-signed players in favor of UFL acquisitions
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