Sean Payton Chooses Bo Nix as Quarterback

In March, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton traveled to Eugene, Oregon, to evaluate quarterback Bo Nix during his pro day and a subsequent private workout. Following the session, Payton expressed confidence in Nix's potential, telling Broncos general manager George Paton, “This is the guy.” The two then reviewed extensive film of Nix’s performances at both Oregon and Auburn, leading Payton to assert that their interest in Nix was shared by other teams. As the NFL Draft approached, the Broncos were concerned about competition from other quarterback-needy teams, particularly the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders, all of whom had high draft picks. Payton noted the unexpected nature of the draft landscape, especially with the departure of another top quarterback, Michael Penix. With only two first-round quarterback prospects remaining—Nix and J.J. McCarthy—Payton recognized the urgency of securing Nix before he was potentially selected by a rival team. To mitigate the risk of losing Nix, Paton reached out to the New York Jets, gauging their interest in a trade. Payton also suggested contacting the Raiders to explore a possible move back in the draft order. Despite acknowledging that Nix has significant areas for improvement, Payton remains steadfast in his belief in the quarterback's capabilities since their initial meeting.