Broncos’ Sean Payton Doesn’t Hold Back On QB Bo Nix

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton loved quarterback Bo Nix at the time of the NFL Draft, and he is apparently happy with what he is seeing from the rookie thus far.

Nix took first-team reps in Broncos practice on Wednesday, and while Payton said that the youngster still needs to clean some things up, he is satisfied with Nix’s progression.

“There are clips and plays … you’re going to look at and correct, and then there are others where you’re going to say, ‘Hey—’ but I do have to watch the film because I’m looking at so much,” Payton said. “I like his progress.”

Denver selected Nix with the 12th overall pick of the draft in April, making him the final quarterback selected in the first round.

The 24-year-old enjoyed an extraordinary 2023 campaign at Oregon, throwing for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 77.4 percent of his passes. In addition, he rushed for 234 yards and six scores.

Nix began his collegiate career at Auburn in 2019 and spent three years with the Tigers before transferring to Oregon in 2022.

In his debut campaign with the Ducks, Nix totaled 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven picks through the air while contributing 510 yards and 14 scores on the ground.

The Broncos are still searching for their franchise quarterback

The Broncos have not made the playoffs since last winning the Super Bowl during the 2015-16 campaign, and the primary reason for Denver’s absence is its inability to find a quarterback.

Since Peyton Manning retired that ensuing offseason after the championship, the Broncos have been left out in the cold when it comes to finding his successor.

Denver thought it finally found its answer when it swung a blockbuster trade to acquire Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in March 2022, but Wilson lasted just two years with the Broncos before being cut.

As a matter of fact, Denver went just 13-21 with Wilson at the helm. That came in spite of Wilson making nine trips to the Pro Bowl with the Seahawks.

We’ll see if Nix ends up being the long-term answer for a Broncos squad that is desperate for any modicum of success heading into 2024 and beyond.

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