Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton loves QB Bo Nix.
That’s not too strong of a word to describe the relationship.
Payton is Nix’s biggest fan, constantly propping the quarterback up whenever he can. Payton didn’t say this summer he thinks Nix can be a top-5 QB in the NFL soon just to create buzz, he said it because he actually believes it. He truly thinks Nix can be an elite quarterback and the best one from the loaded 2024 NFL Draft.
So why, suddenly, is there so much discussion around Nix’s future in Denver?
It doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Last Friday, Colin Cowherd made some curious comments on his show. He asked if Sean Payton might draft a QB to replace Nix. It’s well known that Cowherd and Payton are close friends, so many in Broncos Country wondered if maybe Payton said something to his buddy that sparked the suggestion.
Relax.
Denver is 8-2 and tied for the most wins in the NFL. Yes, Nix has had some ugly moments this season, including against the Raiders on Thursday Night Football.
But Sean Payton would quit before he’d bench Nix or move on this offseason. That’s just my opinion, but one I firmly believe.
To even hear the name Jarrett Stidham uttered the last few days has been flat out silly. Payton’s not making a switch to the backup QB, he’s not drafting Nix’s “replacement” this spring and he sure as heck isn’t giving up his play-calling duties.
Thinking those things or entertaining them out loud is a waste of breath.
As we’ve gotten to know Sean Payton over the last three years, one word comes to mind. And that’s stubborn. The 61-year-old is stuck in his ways. He isn’t going to give up on Nix and that play-sheet would have to be ripped out of his hands before he let someone else call the offense.
Backup quarterbacks are generally the most popular player on the roster on bad teams, but come on Broncos Country, we’re better than this.
We should be focused on winning the AFC West for the first time since 2015. Also, chasing the No. 1 seed in the conference, meaning it would only take two home playoff wins to go to the Super Bowl. These are the things people should be chattering about, not burning time on Nix’s future.
The sophomore QB is going to be the man under center in the Mile High City for quite some time. In fact, as long as Sean Payton is the head coach, he’s going to tie his Denver legacy to Nix. Payton would probably rather go do television again than start over with a new quarterback.
It may kill time around the water cooler, but let’s start living in the moment. One of the best teams in the league isn’t making a QB change this season or this offseason. Nix will finish his rookie contract with the Broncos then probably get a massive extension ahead of the 2028 campaign.
Things haven’t been perfect, but the way some people talk about Nix is alarming. He’s thrown 18 touchdowns which is tied for fifth in the league. He’s also tossed for more than 2,100 yards and has taken just 10 sacks. That’s 33rd in the NFL, a compliment to Nix’s mobility and decision making, as well as Denver’s offensive line.
Can’t we just be happy that the Broncos have an elite defense, a serviceable QB and have won 80 percent of their games? We’ve craved good football for a decade, and now that we have it, some people are still trying to create problems or drama.
Sean Payton is too invested in Nix to go in a different direction, not now or ever. It might make for interesting banter, but it’s not rooted in reality.
It’s time to drop the asinine suggestion once and for all.