Sean Payton has seen enough of the noise around Bo Nix.
The Broncos coach has watched his quarterback deliver wins, pile up production, and help turn Denver from an AFC West afterthought into a division champion. Yet plenty of national voices still treat Nix like a player who hasn’t earned his place in the conversation. Payton made it clear this week that he thinks that disconnect says more about the critics than it does about Nix.
Nix’s résumé through two seasons is hard to ignore. He has helped lead Denver’s rapid rise, and the Broncos came painfully close to reaching the Super Bowl after their 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. That run ended when Nix suffered a broken ankle on the third-to-last play of the game, a gut-punch that changed the shape of January for Denver.
Even with that setback, Nix has stacked up results at a rare pace. He is the only quarterback in NFL history to win 20-plus games while throwing for 7,500-plus yards and 50-plus touchdowns in his first two seasons.
Still, the national chatter keeps missing the mark, at least in Payton’s eyes. Last week, he fired back on social media at a First Things First clip involving former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who had used what Payton viewed as tired and incorrect arguments while predicting a step back for Nix in Year 3.
"Always easy to tell who works at it and who doesn't," Payton commented beneath the First Things First video clip on X.
Then on Tuesday, former NFL lineman Willie Colon offered another dismissive take on Good Morning Football.
"Bo Nix helps the Broncos win games, but they don't win games because of Bo Nix," Colon said.
Payton was asked Wednesday what some media evaluators are missing when they judge Nix. His answer pointed to two familiar problems: people getting stuck on their original draft opinion, and people forming judgments without seeing enough of the player.
“Well, it’s hard for me to answer that. There are two things I think can happen," Payton said.
"I think you can be predetermined based on how you saw them coming out and slow to move off of maybe your draft opinion, which is very normal. Then, oftentimes you’re not exposed to certain players based on television."
That first issue has hovered over Nix since draft season. Many evaluators had him pegged as a Day-2 quarterback, and the Broncos caught heat for taking him No. 12 overall in the first round. Two years later, Denver has won 25 games counting the playoffs and reached two postseason berths with Nix leading the way.
Payton also noted the limits of how much football national analysts actually get to see.
“It’s the one cool thing about our sport, though; you could argue at any position a Top 10 and all of those discussions," Payton said. "Generally, time will give you those answers."
For Denver, the answer has been pretty straightforward. The Broncos like what they have, and Payton said as much.
"We love what we’re seeing," Payton said of Nix. "Again, they’re measured by wins, and they’re measured by certain things. Ultimately, that’s how history will be written about any of them, the quarterbacks specifically.”
The recognition may not be there yet in the national press, but the results keep piling up. Pro Bowl nods and All-Pro honors can wait if Nix keeps doing what he has already done: win games, drive playoff runs, and give Denver a real foundation at quarterback.
For now, the split between how Nix is viewed outside the building and how he is viewed inside it remains glaring. Payton has made his stance plain. The Broncos believe in their quarterback, and they’re betting that time will sort out the rest.
In Other News...
Broncos May Catch Chiefs At The Perfect Time In Week 1
The Broncos open the season with a chance to test a Chiefs team that has spent much of camp managing health as much as game planning. Kansas City has had several key players on the injury report through training camp and the preseason, including defensive tackle Chris Jones, who missed practice while recovering from a back issue, and coach Andy Reid has said he is hopeful some of those players will be ready by Week 1.
Still, the list of concerns has been long enough to make Denver pay attention. Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Mansoor Delane, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Kenneth Walker III have all dealt with injuries at different points, leaving the Chiefs with more uncertainty than usual heading into the opener. For a Broncos team trying to make an early statement in the division, that kind of opening can matter, even if Kansas City still has time to get right before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Settle Backup QB Battle With A Notable Roster Decision
Sean Payton has settled the Broncos backup quarterback picture, and it gives Denver a clearer sense of how the offense will be structured heading into the regular season. Jarrett Stidham will open as the No. 2 behind Bo Nix, with Sam Ehlinger holding the third spot, a notable roster choice after a summer of competition and preseason work.
For a team trying to stabilize its quarterback room behind a rookie starter, keeping three passers on the active roster is not a small decision. It leaves Denver with experience, insurance and some flexibility if the early part of the season brings more questions than answers, even if the pecking order is now set for the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Backfield Battle Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Fans Expected
The Broncos went into the offseason wanting more stability behind their running game, and the addition of Jonah Coleman has quickly made that conversation more interesting. Drafted in the fourth round, Coleman is already expected to matter this season, not just as a developmental piece but as someone who can help shape the offense if Denver needs him to.
J.K. Dobbins is still projected to open the year as the starter after re-signing with the team, but his injury history keeps the backfield picture from feeling settled. Denver reportedly likes Colemans pass protection and efficiency enough to view him as a real contender for the primary backup job, with the possibility that he could move ahead of RJ Harvey on the depth chart if the Broncos need a reliable option in a larger role. [Read more 🡒]