Broncos tight end Adam Trautman has a message for online trolls with criticism for Bo Nix.  

“First off, if you’re talking (expletive) about Bo online, you’re a coward,” Trautman said. “Absolute coward.” 

That staunch defense of Nix took place Sunday night in the Denver postgame locker room at Empower Field. Broncos players were quick to praise their starting quarterback after a 22-19 win over the Chiefs — especially after the narrative surrounding Nix turned sour the previous week after a tight win over the Raiders.  

Fox Sports radio analyst Colin Cowherd questioned if the Broncos might draft a quarterback in 2026. Ex-NFL cornerback turned podcaster Asante Samuel posted on social media: “Please don’t tell me anyone believes in Bo Nix. He isn’t like that!” It got worse in the fan replies and comment sections. 

Nix told reporters he deleted social media during the NFL season. 

“There’s been a lot of noise,” coach Sean Payton said on Sunday. “I hear some of the narratives, and I just want to cry.” 

Nix’s response? Completing 24 of 37 passes for 295 yards and no interceptions in a win that declared AFC West supremacy over Kansas City. 

“We don’t care what other people think. We know we have in the building, and we know what he’s made of, and we don’t really care what people have to say,” Trautman said, before targeting a fictitious online troll. “So, ‘DragonSlayer69’ with his 7-Eleven Slurpee in his mom’s basement, I don’t give a (expletive) what he has to say, right? And Bo doesn’t either.”

Nix did not throw or rush for a touchdown. The Broncos managed just six points in the first half.  

Yet Nix was at his best on a third-quarter scoring drive — 5 of 7 passing for 63 yards — that finished with a touchdown from running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Nix also established the deep ball with completions of 21 yards to wide receiver Courtland Sutton, 35 yards to wide receiver Troy Franklin and 48 yards to wide receiver Pat Bryant. 

On passes over 10 air yards, Nix completed six of 11 for a season-high 171 yards, according to Next Gen Stats. A 32-yard completion to Franklin in the fourth quarter set up the game-winning Wil Lutz Field goal.  

“Everyone is quick to criticize. Everyone wants their headlines and their whatever. The outside world might be flinching or whatever with Bo. But this team and our offense, we don’t flinch,” right guard Quinn Meinerz said. “We know exactly what he’s capable of. We know what we need to be around for him, so that he can be successful. We have the utmost belief in him. He knows that, and that’s all that really matters. … We have his back and he knows that.” 

Nix has led eight fourth-quarter comebacks dating back to his rookie season. That’s ranked first among all NFL quarterbacks since 2024. He’s also led the Broncos to a 9-2 record entering the bye week.  

So, insult Nix online if you must. But understand that he isn’t listening. 

“People are always entitled to their opinions. They’re always going to say what they think and that’s also what makes our country great,” Nix said. “At the end of the day, you just got to block it out. You can’t involve yourself with what’s outside the building, because if you do, it’ll just bog you down. (It will) get you distracted, and you start worrying about things you shouldn’t be worrying about.  

“Everybody’s always going to say something.”