The Breakdown 9

• Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix faces a significant hurdle as he recovers from a broken ankle, an injury that coach Sean Payton revealed was preordained due to a pre-existing condition that made it a matter of "when, not if."
• The playoffs slipped away from Nix as his injury denied him a chance to lead his team to a Super Bowl berth, casting a shadow over the Broncos’ postseason ambitions.
• In a bold move following the team's AFC title game loss to the Patriots, the Broncos have fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, along with two other key assistant coaches, signaling a shake-up in their coaching staff.
• Payton stressed the necessity for change, determined to turn around the team's fortunes after a disappointing season and high expectations.
• Nix's recovery looks promising, with projections suggesting he could return by May, aligning with a timeline of 12 to 16 weeks, offering a glimmer of hope for the Broncos' future.
• As Nix works to heal, the Broncos are poised at a pivotal moment, with a clean salary cap and his rookie contract setting the stage for aggressive moves to bolster their championship aspirations.