The NFL is no stranger to bold takes, but Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo just upped the ante. Ahead of Kansas City’s showdown with Denver, Spagnuolo said something about Bo Nix that not many rookies have had the honor to hear about themselves.

Steve likened Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix to Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Yes, that Josh Allen. And Spagnuolo’s detailed breakdown of Nix’s game is what’s turning heads, not just the comparison. “When he tucks it and runs, I get visions of Josh Allen,” Spagnuolo said. He praised Nix’s “full command” of Denver’s offense. “I’m really impressed. I mean, listen, I didn’t study him in college. I heard the name, knew about him. But we played him a few weeks back… I thought he was really good then, and he’s just even gotten better.” That’s high praise for a rookie who started the season as a wildcard.

Nix’s journey to the NFL wasn’t straightforward. After five college seasons split between Auburn and Oregon, he entered the draft as a polarizing prospect. But Denver coach Sean Payton saw something special, drafting him 12th overall and calling him “the best quarterback in the class.” On the other hand, this was not Spagnuolo praising Nix for the first time. He showered Nix with praises even as he addressed the media ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Broncos.

“When are we gonna get one that’s not so good?” Spagnuolo quipped when asked about Nix. “For a rookie, he has a command. I went back and watched the first game he played in, and I thought Sean had him doing things that sometimes you say, ‘do you have a rookie do it in the first game that he plays?’ But yet there he is doing it.” A journalist also mentioned Nix’s long college career, to which Spagnuolo said, “It’s a really good point. I hadn’t really thought of it that way, because to me, it’s like first year in the NFL, right? Yeah, but he’s 24 or something years old, right? You can see maturity.” Spagnuolo also praised Nix’s leadership capabilities.

“When he’s playing just around his guys, the way he’s communicating… I mean, when they function in a huddle or what we call a ‘muddle huddle’… that’s not always easy for a young guy to do, and yet he’s doing it pretty good.” Mind you, these are words coming from the DC of an opponent team. And there are ample reasons for it. Nix has delivered 16 passing touchdowns and 21 total scores this season, both Broncos rookie records. He also ties Justin Herbert and Baker Mayfield as the only rookies with nine games of two or more touchdown passes.

Nix’s October stats alone earned him AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month honors. Now, he will be up against the Chiefs again. But this clash is not just about Nix’s rookie magic; it’s about Denver’s playoff hopes. A win sends the Broncos to the postseason, a feat they haven’t achieved since Peyton Manning’s Super Bowl run in 2015.

Bo Nix: The man to look out for

Kansas City has reasons to worry. The Chiefs barely edged out Denver in Week 10, winning 16-14 despite Nix throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. In that game, Nix showcased the same poise Spagnuolo warned about, leading a late drive that nearly sealed a Broncos win. The Chiefs know they’ll need to contain Nix this time.

But that’s easier said than done. Kansas City has struggled against mobile quarterbacks. They have allowed key plays with their feet all season. Spagnuolo admitted as much, saying, “We’ve gotta get better at containing, controlling quarterbacks from hurting us with their feet.” But will they be able to figure it out before Sunday’s clash?

The Broncos would definitely not want Kansas City to figure it out. This is perhaps their best chance, with key Chiefs players potentially being rested for the game. And as Denver sits at 9-7, Nix’s impact can’t be overstated. It is his ability to deliver in crunch time that has kept Denver in playoff contention. Even NFL legend Manning chimed in on Nix’s success.

“Bo’s in a great situation,” Manning said, while crediting Payton’s offensive system and Nix’s chemistry with his receivers. “Bo had all the experience in college; it’s impossible to have more experience. And he’s gotten chemistry with his wide receivers. He’s gotten better every week.” Nix has also joined Manning in Denver’s history books. He has become one of only two Broncos rookies with four consecutive home games of 200+ yards and multiple touchdowns.

Whether Denver clinches a playoff berth or falls short, one thing is clear. Bo Nix has arrived. And if one is to believe Spagnuolo and the NFL pundits, Nix’s dual-threat abilities would make him one of the best rookies in the NFL’s history.