Bo Nix gives Sean Payton fresh fodder for praise with array of impressive passes at Broncos minicamp
By ARNIE STAPLETONThe Associated Press
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado: At the Denver Broncos’ rookie minicamp on Saturday, Bo Nix showed Sean Payton more reasons to be impressed with his first-round draft pick through calmness, patience, accurate passing, and plenty of zing on his throws.
When Nix was chosen by Payton with the 12th choice in last month’s NFL draft out of Oregon, the running back said, “It’s almost like watching a good golfer.”
When you watch his play over a period of two years, you can sometimes see that he plays patiently. When the ball comes out, he makes some really wise judgments. I don’t want to call him dull; that wouldn’t be appropriate. Payton stated, “With every play, the efficiency of how he’s operating, and all of that.”
At the three-day camp, the Broncos had two professionals and twenty rookies on trials in addition to nine veteran/first-year players, college free agents, and 20 draft picks present.
”We’ve done these camps for a long time, and some teams no longer have a true rookie minicamp. It might be more of an orientation,” Payton said. ”I like to have the workout players here because we’ve found a tryout player periodically. Additionally, it enables full-team drills, which, in my opinion, help everyone on the team—not just the quarterback. It can be difficult to learn how to huddle, snap count, and verbiage when it’s your first time, but I felt he did a good job throwing it.”
Payton’s comment that he looked like a composed golfer amused Nix.
“I wish I could play golf the same way I play quarterback,” Nix remarked. “However, it all comes down to planning, operation, and making things as easy as possible—know where your reads are, where your eyes should go, and focus on them so you can move through it fast.”
“It just involves getting ready, studying, and spending time with knowledgeable coaches who will repeatedly teach the same material. Once you have mastered it, you can apply it on the football field.”
Despite being the first quarterback to sign a rookie contract, Nix was the sixth quarterback chosen in the draft. He signed a four-year contract on Friday that is fully guaranteed to pay $18.61 million, with a signing bonus of $10.36 million.
Nix, living up to his modest persona, stated he had no major purchases planned to commemorate his newfound wealth.
“No, not at all,” he replied. “Right now, I’m just trying to learn this offense.”
Nix, who played two seasons at Oregon and three at Auburn, is 24, which is older than most rookies. Joining him in the quarterback room are Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, two experienced players who will probably compete for backup status as Payton attempts to develop Nix in the same manner that he handled Drew Brees in New Orleans.
Nix is trying to make history by being the first rookie quarterback from the Broncos to start the season since 1983’s John Elway.
The city that adored Peyton Manning and Elway but saw 13 different starting quarterbacks since 2015, when Manning concluded his career as a champion with a win in Super Bowl 50, is one that he is relishing.
“I’m ecstatic,” Nix exclaimed. I’ve only been here for a few days, but I can’t wait to explore the area and take in everything. I’m ecstatic to be here. The city is amazing. It’s incredible that I get to don a Broncos jersey and carry out the legacy of so many greats who came before me.
“I’m not going to take it for granted, and I don’t take that lightly,” he continued. Of course, pressure presents an opportunity. Therefore, you have an even greater need to regularly go out and make money the more pressure and duty you have.
