In a quest to find the next franchise quarterback, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton embarked on a journey to Eugene, Ore., where he witnessed quarterback Bo Nix’s pro day in March. The pro day left Payton impressed, as he remarked that out of the 82 throws Nix made, 81 were “exactly on the right shoulder.” Payton described Nix as “super accurate” during an interview with The Athletic‘s “Scoop City” podcast.
Following the pro day, Payton arranged for a private workout and meeting with Nix the next morning. This was a crucial moment for the Broncos, who were looking to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing season. Payton, along with team officials, closely observed Nix to determine if he was the future of the franchise.
During the meeting, Payton was intrigued by the contents of Nix’s backpack. Expecting to find a vice like candy or chewing tobacco, Payton was surprised to see cleats for different terrains and a lacrosse ball used for rolling under his back. Impressed by Nix’s dedication to football, Payton encouraged him to showcase his skills on the field.
Payton was aware of Nix’s NCAA single-season completion percentage record from his time at Oregon. Despite some skepticism surrounding Nix’s rapid passes in Oregon’s offense, Payton saw potential in his abilities.
After the private workout, Payton and Broncos general manager Paton reviewed Nix’s game film extensively. One particular play caught Payton’s attention, prompting him to exclaim, “I’ve never seen this before.” The film analysis solidified Payton’s belief that Nix was the right choice for the Broncos, although it also revealed some areas of improvement.
Ultimately, Payton’s visit to Eugene proved fruitful as he found a quarterback he believed could lead the Broncos to success in the future. With Nix’s accuracy, work ethic, and potential, Payton was willing to bet on his abilities to turn the team’s fortunes around.
