NFL Network reveals how Bo Nix impressed Sean Payton during predraft process

Broncos coach Sean Payton knew that Bo Nix was the quarterback he wanted to draft after a meeting before the draft at Oregon. It was revealed on the NFL Network broadcast of Sunday’s preseason game between Denver and Green Bay that Payton had given Nix some offensive plays to study prior to the meeting the day before.

To his surprise, the quarterback was able to relay the information right back to him by the following morning. Payton was so sure there was something that he could find to deter him from drafting Nix, so he asked to look in his backpack.

However, what he found only confirmed that Nix was the type of player he was after.

“Sean Payton was of course impressed after he learned the offense in only one night, so he almost got frustrated and said, ‘Bo, take out your backpack and empty it out,'” sideline reporter Scotty Gange said. “‘There’s gotta be something wrong with it. You have to have some sort of vice in there.’ All he had was his lacrosse ball, his bible and a football. So I think Sean Payton was pretty much secure with Bo Nix being his quarterback at that point.”

Nix impressed in his NFL debut last week, who finished 15-of-21 for 125 yards and a touchdown to lead all Broncos passers. He earned the start on Sunday for the second game of the preseason and once again got off to a hot start.

The QB led Denver to a field goal and a touchdown on its first two drives, connecting with Tim Patrick for a two-yard score. Nix finished his first half run 8-of-9 passing for 80 yards and also showed off his rushing ability with a couple of scrambles for decent yardage.

NFL Network sideline reporter Cynthia Frelund added that Nix’s rushing ability was another part of the reason Payton liked him as a prospect.

“When we talk about Bo Nix and his college career and what makes coach so potentially happy with what he can do at this level really goes back to making smart decisions with his legs,” she explained. “Just a reminder, he had 38 rushing touchdowns in college, including an 80-yard scramble in 2022.

“If you look at that Oregon playbook that Ryan referenced, there were a lot of red zone runs specifically designed to use Nix’s legs. So it’s kind of a cool little extra thing that maybe he can be smart about the way he runs is the way coach thinks about it.”

Nix is battling Jarrett Stidham to earn the starting quarterback position in Week 1. With the performance he has put on so far in the preseason, he figures to stand a good chance at winning the job.