Bo Nix's response to Sean Payton shows he's the Broncos' franchise quarterback | Mike Sanford's Coach's Corner

Following a failed third-and-3 from the Raiders’ 45-yard line on Sunday, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix jogged toward his sideline.

What awaited him was a roaring lion. This lion, known as much for his roar as he is known for his bite, was none other than Bo’s boss, Sean Payton. Payton was waiting, with his 11x17 call sheet as evidence, to unleash an earful on his young Ferris Bueller during Denver's 34-18 win. What happened next was the most consequential reaction of the past decade in Broncos Country.

Nearly 10 months ago, noted culinary specialist Russell Wilson, found himself in the identical lion’s den. With the Broncos trailing 28-7 in the literal Lions’ den of Detroit, Payton similarly roared at Russ, with then 28-year-old quarterbacks coach Davis Webb looking on.

Russ’ response? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Two weeks later Wilson was benched in need of a “spark” in the form of his backup Jarrett Stidham. The Wilson experience officially ended months later.

The lion roared. Some would argue Wilson's response was like that of a sheep. I’ll leave that up for debate.

Let me paint the picture:

The quarterback hesitantly jogged off the field following a failed third down conversion.

The play-calling head coach eagerly awaited the arrival of his signal-caller.

The young quarterbacks coach not knowing what types of fireworks will light up the sideline upon said rendezvous.

In my career playing and coaching college football, I am all too familiar with all three parties involved. I have been all three.

As the QB, I trotted off the sideline with future college football Hall of Fame coach Chris Petersen ready to give me the proverbial business.

As the young quarterbacks coach, I nervously awaited the response of then-Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly as he greeted redshirt freshman quarterback Deshone Kizer. Many of us have seen those exchanges. Fireworks, indeed.

As the head coach, I waited for then-Western Kentucky Hilltopper QB Mike White, now of the Buffalo Bills, after forcing some turnover-worthy throws on his way to 4,177 yards in his final season.

In nearly all instances, the most significant reaction is from the man in the arena. The quarterback.

I don’t believe any of us in the media or in the fanbase will ever know exactly what set off Payton. Was it a play call that was supposed to be flipped by Nix but wasn’t? Was it the decision to uncork a brilliant touchdown to Nix’s Oregon teammate Troy Franklin that was dropped? Was it the butt fumble by Luke Wattenberg that showed a miscommunication between Nix and his center as Nix lined up in shotgun?

We may never know. But this we all now know because of that fateful exchange:

Payton, known lion, has found his match.

Payton, since coaching Drew Brees to 17 playoff games and a Super Bowl, has been in search of an alpha, a lion.

In that tense moment, Nix stood up to his boss and passionately stated his case. It was nothing of the disrespectful variety. It was pure fire, competitive spirit at the highest level. It was belief. He showed bravery and confidence. He showed he was the lion that Payton has been searching for since Brees’ retirement in 2021.

Most importantly, he immediately showed his locker room that he is the franchise quarterback. Yes, his locker room. He showed his QBs coach, Davis Webb, that this isn’t The Russ Experiment. He said: “I am a lion. I am here to stay.”

A lion doesn’t concern itself with the opinion of sheep. Payton doesn’t care what you or I think. Nix doesn’t care what you or I think.

The Broncos have found their lion at the quarterback position.

As the years of frustration at the quarterback position have gone on, Broncos Country can finally rest easy.

Onward and upward go these Broncos.

Led by their two lions.