Cowherd Reverses Course on Broncos QB Bo Nix After Week 1 Blowout Loss

Longtime Fox Corporation personality Colin Cowherd has reversed his stance on Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix following the team’s rough season opener, a development that puts one of FS1’s most-watched hosts at odds with a player he previously championed.

The Broncos opened their season with a lopsided 31-10 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, managing just 176 yards of total offense. Nix had a night to forget, throwing an interception on his first pass attempt and averaging fewer than five yards per completion while facing persistent pressure. Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker piled on with 173 yards rushing against Denver’s defense.

On Monday’s episode of The Herd, Cowherd said Nix “is in trouble” and “is getting in the way.” The host, who had been a vocal supporter of the second-year quarterback, questioned whether Denver can view Nix as its long-term answer given where he is in his contract timeline. He also argued that a gap has now opened between Nix and other young quarterbacks around the league, including Giants rookie Jackson Dart, while describing Patriots quarterback Drake Maye as raw but special.

The commentary is notable given Cowherd’s platform. The Herd is a cornerstone of FS1’s daytime lineup, and Fox Corporation — which trades in the Communication Services sector — counts sports talk programming among its key content offerings. Shares of Fox (FOXA) closed at $66.63 on Tuesday, down 1.39% from the prior close of $67.57, valuing the company at roughly $26.85 billion.

Cowherd himself acknowledged the week-to-week volatility of the league, saying the NFL is a “what have you done for me weekly” business. Nix will have a quick opportunity to quiet the noise when Denver faces the Jacksonville Jaguars next.

One game is a thin sample size, and opinions across the media landscape vary widely on how much weight to give a single performance — particularly one against a Chiefs team that has been a consistent AFC power. Still, the shift from a prominent on-air supporter illustrates how quickly narratives around young quarterbacks can change in the early weeks of a season.

What to watch

• Nix’s performance in Denver’s upcoming matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and whether the offense shows improvement.
• The Broncos’ offensive line health and protection of Nix after the pressure he faced in Week 1.
• Whether Denver’s run defense bounces back after allowing 173 rushing yards to Kenneth Walker.
• Ongoing commentary from national shows like The Herd as the season progresses.

Source: original release