Sean Payton and Bo Nix have turned heads around the NFL, but what does the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history have to say?
Bo Nix put the NFL on notice with his work in his rookie season. Before the start of the 2024 season, most fans wrote off Nix as just another bullet point in the team’s quest to replace Peyton Manning.
However, by the end of the 2024 season, Bo Nix had the attention of everyone. The Denver Broncos reached the playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50 on his watch.
While Nix didn’t win the OROY award, he made the finalist list past quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix Jr. Not many believed he could follow up an 8-9 season led by Russell Wilson, but he logged essentially as many wins in his rookie season as Wilson did in two seasons with Denver.
Tom Brady had his own thoughts on the duo.
Tom Brady gives his thoughts on Bo Nix and Sean Payton
Speaking on a December 3 edition of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” NFL FOX Commentator Tom Brady gave his review of Payton and his recommendation for how Bo Nix should operate.
“‘I’m going to have you manage end-of-game situations.’ That takes a great developmental coach, and I would say Sean Payton certainly is that.
“He’s a phenomenal coach and [has to have] a quarterback that wants to embrace that opportunity to learn a skill set of how to manage it. Not just, ‘Hey, Coach, what’s the play? Tell me what to do. Coach, tell me the playbook,” he said.
He added: “Why are we calling that play? Why are we in this situation? Why don’t we understand the why behind what we’re doing? How do we beat man coverage. How do we beat zone coverage?'”
It wasn’t a ringing endorsement from Tom Brady in terms of Bo Nix, but he also didn’t write him off.Rather, Brady gave his advice to the Broncos quarterback to keep learning about the game. If Bo Nix had to lean one way or the other, it might come off as a challenge instead of congratulations.
Bo Nix threw for 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024, completing 66.3% of his throws for 3775 yards. While his rookie season was impressive, it’s not going to get any easier.
Why Bo Nix’s job could be more difficult in 2025
Despite piling up more experience and getting a fresh offseason to work through, the net output for Nix could be in trouble.
Defenses are aware of Bo Nix now, and there’s a year’s worth of tape on how he operates. Those defensive schemes will challenge him to pivot to a second set of tricks.
It will be up to Nix to get in front of this as best he can. Luckily, he has Sean Payton on his side. Also, after getting to the playoffs, there might be a temptation to rest on his laurels, which would give a greater boost to defenses, allowing them to catch up.
There are countless examples of quarterbacks coming down to earth in their second season. Mac Jones might be the clearest most recent example available. He threw for 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as a rookie before dropping to 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2023. Will Nix be able to avoid a similar fate?
