Bo Nix finding his favorite target from last year Courtland Sutton.
Bo Nix rewrote the Denver Broncos’ record books as a rookie, and he is primed to take another significant step forward thanks not only to the moves the franchise made this offseason but also because of his own improvements.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton detailed some critical areas in which the 2024 No. 12 overall pick has progressed.
His answer bodes well for the team.
“Less pause, less hesitation with the play call, in the huddle. Less pause, less hesitation in the pocket. He’s playing fast and, again, protecting the ball,” Payton told reporters on June 12. “He’s hard to sack. He was hard to sack in college. So, you’re seeing him play faster [and] with more confidence.”
Bo Nix finding his favorite target from last year Courtland Sutton.
Nix expressed similar sentiments, coming off a rookie season in which he completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
“I feel like I’m a lot further out. Just spitting out play calls a lot easier, just processing, being around VJ [Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph] for a year, understanding the defense that I’m going to get. So, it’s a lot better. It’s a lot more enjoyable not thinking right now as opposed to what I was doing last year,” Nix told reporters in May.
“It’s fun. It’s fun to be in the know, it’s fun to have a little bit more of an understanding of what’s going on, so i can kind of be a little bit more beneficial to others and kind of help them out along the way. But I feel good. We’re in a good spot.”
GettyDrew Brees #9 and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talk before a game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Nix has drawn praise for his efforts in recruiting and welcoming the Broncos’ new players, many of whom have openly cited him as one of the attractive points about the organization.
Payton downplayed the uniqueness, though he also mentioned another legendary QB.
“I think most teams do it. Drew [Brees] would have them come to San Diego,” Payton said. “I think it’s just spending time together, and I don’t think it’s unusual. And so, yeah. That’s their time, and it’s not our time to report on it either.”
Nix compared favorably to Brees, the former San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints QB who played for Payton during his time with the latter franchise, before the draft.
Nix’s approach may not be unique, but it remains another connection between him and Brees.
Bo Nix connecting with Evan Engram.
We’ll see that a lot this year.
To help him, the Broncos upgraded the skill players around Nix, adding tight end Evan Engram and running back J.K. Dobbins in free agency, with Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga joining them. They also drafted RJ Harvey and Pat Bryant on offense and Jahdae Barron on defense.
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Nix’s acts of leadership, backed by his performance on the field, drew the praise of Chad Morris, his former offensive coordinator at Auburn, where Nix spent three seasons before transferring to Oregon in 2022.
“Your passion and determination inspire so many,” Morris posted on Instagram on June 11. “It[’s] so impressive to watch you lead. Can’t wait to see what year 2 will bring.
Nix and Morris arrived in Auburn in 2019.
They spent two seasons together. The now-Broncos QB, Nix, completed 58.7% of his passes for 4,957 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions during their time together.
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most overlooked teams in the NFL, and there are a number of reasons why. The Seahawks have a lot of talent, as evidenced by the team's 10-7 record in 2024. The Seahawks were a tiebreaker shy ...
Hindsight is always 20/20, as the saying goes, but if the Chicago Bears could hop in a time machine and head back to 2023, would they still pay Tremaine Edmunds all that money? In March of 2023, the Bears signed Edmunds a four-year, $72 million deal with ...
For the Cowboys, the 2025 offseason began with some gaping holes on the roster. Some–perhaps many–were only marginally filled, and some major question marks about this team remain. Why, for example, are they insisting on again playing the long game with ...
The Cleveland Browns are once again caught in the familiar storm of promise and uncertainty heading into the 2025 NFL season. On the surface, they appear to be a team in transition—and that'sputting it mildly. They are struggling to find an answer ...
The 2025 season is getting closer and closer, but there could still be some big names on the move before it gets underway. T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the best pass-rushers in the league. Watt's play hasn't ...