Denver Broncos second-year quarterback Bo Nix underwhelmed in his 2025 preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday evening.
After the first-team offense stalled and had to punt on their first possession, Nix took a safety on Denver’s second drive of the game. Facing a 3rd-and-6 from his own 14-yard line, Nix threw the ball away under pressure.
Unfortunately, the ball did not reach the line of scrimmage, so Nix was penalized for intentional grounding. Because Nix was standing in the end zone when he threw the ball, that penalty awarded the 49ers a two-point safety.
Nix was asked about the play after the game and he gave a short response.
“I just threw it away,” Nix said. “I didn’t get the ball to the line of scrimmage.”
Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked after the game what Nix was missing on Saturday.
“It’s not just him,” Payton said. “The key is move the team, move the ball. We’ll look at that tape. There’ll be a play or two that I’m sure we can clean up.”
Payton was later asked if the safety would be a teaching moment for the young quarterback.
“Yeah, I want to see it because I didn’t get a clean look on the sideline,” Payton said. “So, when I see the film and then understand it, certainly, it would be.”
Nix finished the game 6-of-11 passing for 31 yards. After leading one field goal drive against San Francisco, Nix will aim to bounce back with a better performance against the Arizona Cardinals next week (full preseason schedule).
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