Sean Payton delivers ultimate verdict on Bo Nix after Broncos QB's promising rookie season

Bo Nix may finally be the franchise quarterback the Denver Broncos have been wanting ever since Peyton Manning retired after winning Super Bowl 50 at the end of the 2015 season. Nix's coach cannot be any happier for that.

During an afterseason media session on Wednesday, Sean Payton had nothing but praise for the rookie:

"I'm really encouraged, and I'm glad that he's with us and that it worked out the way it did. He's very conscientious. He comes in. He spends a lot of time here. ... I've said this before -- I think we've found that player that can lead us and be what we need relative to the success we're used to having."

In leading the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since that Super Bowl run, Nix completed 376 attempts for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns against 12 interceptions and rushing 92 times for another 430 yards and four scores.

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Broncos GM George Paton, owner Greg Penner also praise Bo Nix after rookie QB's great performance

The strong start to the Bo Nix era has also drawn praise from the front office. General manager George Paton, who drafted the passer 12th overall out of Oregon via Auburn, said:

“You saw poise beyond his years. He’s a captain as a rookie, and that’s tough. But the team embraced it... Bo raised the level of everyone around him.”

He also commented on Nix's refusal to leave the team facilities since he checked back in after the 31-7 Wild Card loss at the Buffalo Bills. Paton also discussed sophomore improvements with Sean Payton on Tuesday:

“I said, ‘Bo, you gotta take a break.’ I’m sure he’ll get away.”

Principal owner/CEO Greg Penner had praise as well, calling Bo Nix "the guy" with "all the great leadership qualities that you want in a quarterback", including an indomitable spirit - the refusal to quit even when his team is behind by a large deficit - and command of the locker room:

"I was incredibly impressed with Bo both on and off the field... Mentally, he is sharp. The players respond to him. His teammates love him. In terms of the offseason, he's an incredibly hard worker and loves studying tape, being in the gym."

The Broncos now begin the offseason holding the 20th overall pick of the 2025 Draft.