Broncos’ Bo Nix Opens up on His Relationship With Sean Payton

Denver Broncos' head coach Sean Payton drafted quarterback Bo Nix in the first round to be his quarterback and Nix recently opened up on the relationship they've built.

Broncos’ Bo Nix Opens up on His Relationship With Sean Payton originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Denver Broncos hired Sean Payton to take over as their head coach in 2023, and Payton received a team with quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm. After an 8-9 season, the Broncos parted ways with Wilson, and Payton had his pick at quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Broncos' second-year head coach decided on Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. Nix, after playing five years in college, was slightly older than the other top options in the first round. However, with the 12th overall pick, Payton saw that as valuable experience rather than wasted years.

Nix did the work needed in his first offseason and preseason to win the Broncos' starting job. His rookie season was up and down, but he rebounded each time, and his coaches and players around him had his back. Nix led the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since 2015.

The start to the season was rough, as Nix started 0-2 with four interceptions and no touchdown passes. However, the rookie fought through and developed in the first half of the season and finished the second half strong.

Nix won five of the last seven games of the season to clinch the Broncos' playoff birth, and threw 19 touchdown passes compared to just six interceptions. The Broncos' rookie credited his head coach for sticking by his side the whole time.

“He’s meant a lot. He gave me my first chance. He believed in me. He was quick to have my back at all times," Nix said of Payton following the 2024 season (h/t Broncos Wire). "I think that’s one of the most impressive things about him, is a lot of things, rookie this and that, things that happened this year, he never threw me under the bus. It’s just that support and having a coach that has your back and encourages me like that means a lot.

"[It] helps me play fast and helps me play with confidence even though we both know that I’m going to make mistakes. We both know that I’m going to want some things back, but he coached me really well."

Now Nix enters year two in the NFL, a year that many expect him to make a big jump. The Broncos' rookie exceeded all expectations in 2024, but that only heightens those expectations going forward.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) reacts after a play in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High.Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Broncos' offense has only added talent this offseason with the additions of tight end Evan Engram and running backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Nix is excited for another year to work with Payton and the Broncos' offense.

"I was fortunate to be coached by him, by one of the best of all time. I’m excited to move forward after the learning that we did [in 2024], continue to get closer with one another and understand each other better," Nix said. "[I’m] just thankful for his willingness and the opportunity to play for him. He drafted me, and that says a lot.”

The Broncos' training camp officially got underway this week as the team prepares for the 2025 season. The Nix and Payton tandem brought excitement to Denver last season, and now the duo will try to make back-to-back trips to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

Category: Football