Bo Nix had a chance to become a Pro Bowler, but instead opted out.

The Broncos rookie quarterback was offered a spot in this week’s Pro Bowl activities after Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen dropped out and first alternate Patrick Mahomes advanced to his fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years. However, Nix had to pass on the opportunity because of a previously scheduled medical procedure, a source confirmed.

The source characterized the procedure as minor but did not specify what it was. It is scheduled for Wednesday, the day that Pro Bowl festivities begin.

Nix was the fourth alternate, but did not want to delay his mapped-out offseason routine.

New England’s Drake Maye anwd Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson were added to the AFC roster on Tuesday. Maye joins Jayden Daniels as the only rookie quarterbacks who will participate in Orlando, Fla.

Nix outperformed Maye and Wilson, posting the best rookie season in Broncos history. Over the final 13 regular season games, Nix threw for 28 touchdowns with eight interceptions, while completing 68.3% of his passes. Nix is a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 6 in New Orleans, an award Daniels is expected to win.

While Nix started every game, Maye joined the Patriots starting lineup after the first month, posting a 3-9 record with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Wilson, the Broncos’ quarterback the previous two seasons before getting released, delivered 16 touchdowns with five picks in 11 starts.

Nix, who turns 25 next month, helped the Broncos snap their eight-year playoff drought and streak of seven consecutive losing seasons. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice for his performances against the Falcons and Chiefs. He combined to complete 54 of 62 passes for eight touchdowns and no turnovers in those victories.

9News was the first to report that Nix declined the Pro Bowl offer.

Morton takes Lions OC job >> Some coaching trees are stumps. But Sean Payton’s features multiple branches that continue to grow this offseason.

Coach Dan Campbell worked for Payton with the Saints before engineering the Detroit Lions’ revival. Their relationship has helped lead to multiple transactions recently. In searching for a replacement for Ben Johnson, Campbell plucked Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton to lead the Lions offense, making him the coordinator on Tuesday, a source confirmed.

Morton worked for Campbell in 2022 with the Lions and helped the Broncos offense improve the past two years under Payton, which included the blossoming of rookie quarterback Bo Nix in 2024.

When Johnson took over as the Bears coach last week, he, too, looked to the Broncos. Perhaps it was because of a suggestion from Campbell or just coincidence. But he made Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle his new OC. Johnson will call the plays, but Doyle will be counted on to help quarterback Caleb Williams improve in his sophomore season. Bills offensive boss Joe Brady also worked with Payton in New Orleans, and began getting head coaching interviews in the latest hiring cycle.

The Broncos have had multiple assistants and executives interview for jobs this offseason, including defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, special teams assistant Chris Banjo and senior personnel executive David Shaw. Defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard, a former NFL player and college defensive coordinator, received interest from teams, but is remaining with the Broncos.

There are currently four vacancies on the Broncos staff after the team parted ways with linebackers coach Greg Manusky on Tuesday, according to a source. Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica was let go right after the season.