10 MINUTES AGO: “HOT BLOODY” Bo Nix ATTACKED DRAKE MAYE – “HE WILL EVER GET ME, HIS TD WAS JUST LUCKY!” But Maye responded with 15 words that made both the Broncos and Nix “SHUT UP”

Denver, January 25, 2026 – Just 10 minutes before the playoff semifinal (AFC Championship Game) between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots kicked off at Empower Field at Mile High, the air was hotter than ever – not because of the weather, but because of the shocking “stoned” words from Bo Nix. In a last-minute interview before the game, rookie QB Bo Nix of the Broncos bluntly “kicked” fellow 2024 draft class Drake Maye of the Patriots, leaving the entire NFL world stunned.
When asked about comparing himself to Maye – two promising young QBs leading two of the best teams in the AFC this season – Nix did not hesitate to answer: “Drake Maye will never reach my level. Most of his touchdown passes are just due to luck – luck to have a good receiver, luck to have an opponent make mistakes, luck to the weather… But if Maye played for the Broncos, he would be at B-team level, nothing more. I’m not saying play.”

This arrogant and harsh statement quickly spread like wildfire on social networks.
Broncos fans cheered in support, “Bo Nix is right, Maye is just lucky!”, while Patriots fans were indignant: “Nix is afraid of losing so he trash talked before the game!” Many experts analyze that Nix – who led the Broncos to No.1 seed AFC with a stable performance, few turnovers – is trying to “psychological warfare” to shake the opponent, especially when the Broncos are missing a number of key players due to injury (although Nix still plays normally in this scenario).
But no one expected that Drake Maye – the young QB of the Patriots with a calm, mature playing style – responded with a statement of only 15 words, leaving the entire press conference room, the entire Broncos team and Nix himself “speechless” for a moment.

Maye’s answer was clearly recorded in the short press conference before the match: “I respect Bo and what he has done. But on the field, we will talk in football – not in words. Good luck to him today.” Just 15 words, but full of weight: don’t attack back, don’t belittle your opponent, just focus on the game. That calmness, professionalism and “class” made the auditorium burst into applause.
Many commentators immediately praised: “That’s how a real QB handles trash talk – no response, just action.” Patriots fan posted: “Maye just knocked out Nix without saying much!” Some neutral fans admitted: “Nix talks too much, Maye is quiet but stronger.”
The context of the match made Nix’s “spin kick” statement even more dramatic. The Broncos and Patriots both finished the regular season with impressive records (Broncos 14-3, Patriots similar), leading the AFC thanks to strong defenses and young QBs leading the way. Nix, the Broncos’ draft pick No.12 in 2024, had an excellent rookie season with high accuracy and few mistakes, helping the team overcome many comeback matches.
Maye, draft No.3 of the Patriots, stands out with his arm strength, running ability and determination, leading the Patriots back to the top in the post-Tom Brady era. Two QBs from the same draft class, who once faced off in college (Nix beat Maye 28-27 in the 2022 Holiday Bowl), now meet on the biggest stage of the playoff – but not as direct a confrontation as expected, because injuries and roster changes have changed the scenario.
Nix’s statement divided public opinion. One side thinks that he is overconfident, “trash talking to create a psychological advantage” – the type that Tom Brady often does. The other side criticized Nix for “lacking respect for colleagues”, especially when Maye always maintained a humble and professional attitude. On Reddit and
The upcoming match is now not only a fight for Super Bowl tickets, but also a “war of honor” between two young QBs. The Broncos have home field advantage and the top defense in the NFL, but the Patriots under the new coach are playing extremely explosively on the away field. Will Nix’s “spin kick” become a “curse” for the Broncos? Or will Maye prove with actions that “level” is really decided on the field?
The NFL world is holding its breath waiting for kickoff. One side is arrogance, the other is composure – and just one match can change everything. Bo Nix opened his mouth, but Drake Maye might be the one to end the story with a silent victory.