Broncos’ Bo Nix gets eye-opening review from Sean Payton ahead of rookie season

Eyebrows raised league-wide when the Denver Broncos selected Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Was the University of Oregon product really worthy of being anointed as a franchise quarterback at the next level? Broncos coach Sean Payton certainly thought so, and has seemingly grown even more confident in Nix as offseason activities ramp up.

After just two full practices in minicamp, Payton lauded the rookie signal-caller for his ability to quickly process information and implement it on the field.

“It’s almost like watching a good golfer,” he said of Nix, per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. “Sometimes when you watch his game over two years, there’s a patience to how he plays. The ball comes out, and — I don’t want to use the term boring, that’s not the right term, but pretty good decisions. With each play, the efficiency of how he’s operating, and all of that. … So oftentimes, your first exposure to huddle, snap count, verbiage, that can be challenging, but I thought he threw it well.”

Don’t read too much into Payton’s “boring” assessment of Nix’s performance so far, Broncos fans. No one should be under any delusion he boasts elite physical tools in terms of arm talent nor overall athleticism for an NFL quarterback. A five-star high school recruit, Nix finally lived up to that status after transferring to Oregon in large part due to the increased quickness and consistency of his decision-making.

Enter the league at 24 years old with a whopping five seasons of starting experience at the college level, Nix should have a major leg up on most other first-year quarterbacks in terms of comfort learning the NFL game. Still, Nix admits he’s already benefiting from Payton’s approach of easing his acclimation to the league.

“[Payton] has built a pedigree; when he talks, you listen,” he said. ” … It can be a lot; I think I’m being taught really well. [They’re] doing a good job of narrowing everything down, making it simple so I can just get up there and process and play fast.”

Broncos’ quarterback competition includes Bo Nix, Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham