Bo Nix Seeks Excellence with the Help of Drew Brees
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has vowed to “do whatever it takes to improve.” Broncos coach Sean Payton revealed that this quest for improvement included a week-long visit to historic quarterback Drew Brees, who made NFL history with the same offense.Brees, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection, spent 15 of his 20 NFL seasons running Payton’s offense with the New Orleans Saints. He led the league in passing yards seven times, had a record five 5,000-yard passing seasons, and is one of only two quarterbacks in league history (along with Tom Brady) to surpass 80,000 career passing yards (80,358). Nix started in every game of his rookie season in 2024, when the Broncos ended an eight-year playoff drought. The season ended with a wild card round loss against the Bills in Buffalo. Nix, who was the first rookie to start at the beginning of the Broncos’ season since John Elway in 1983, finished his rookie season with 29 touchdowns, just two short of Justin Herbert’s rookie record. Payton also said that Nix sought out Brees and spent a week in San Diego with him.“Look, (Nix) is someone who works hard and wants to improve,” Payton said after Wednesday’s practice. “… And he went to visit Brees for four or five days… there’s a lot he wants to absorb in a short period of time and that’s a great thing for a young player like him.”
Sean Payton, Broncos Coach
Nix had previously said this offseason that he found as a rookie it can be difficult to work on some of the overall position mechanics during the season, while preparing for specific opponents each week. And that he hoped to use his offseason time in his career as efficiently as possible.“It was contacting, coordinating some time to immerse himself in the offense,” Payton said. “… That’s what you’re looking for… wanting to know more about the offense. It was (Nix) investigating more into the position.”
Sean Payton, Broncos Coach
Payton also seemed a bit irritated on Wednesday when asked about Nix’s offseason work and any narrative about a potential “sophomore slump” for Nix in his second year as a starter.“You can really focus on the things you want to improve,” Nix said earlier this offseason. “… You can go out and really get better and work on your craft.”
Bo Nix, Broncos Quarterback
“I’m trying to think of the one-hit wonders of MTV and I can’t think of many,” Payton said. “It’s a term we use, but I can’t think of examples that fit that term: rookie quarterbacks who excelled and then, all of a sudden, what happened in the second year?”
Sean Payton, Broncos Coach
