Sean Payton and Bo Nix: A New Coach-Quarterback Duo Forms in Denver

Back in 2006, Drew Brees signed a six-year deal with the New Orleans Saints and never looked back, playing his entire career with the franchise. Under the guidance of then-head coach Sean Payton, Brees emerged as one of the NFL‘s all-time leading passers and clinched a Super Bowl victory. The Brees-Payton duo became legendary, as they drove the Saints to numerous playoff appearances during their tenure.

After Brees retired in 2020, Payton stepped down a year later. However, he returned to coaching with the Denver Broncos in 2023. Now, in his second season with the Broncos, Payton is working with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who was drafted as a first-round pick. This represents a significant transition for the veteran coach, who primarily worked with experienced players like Brees throughout his career.

Nix, who was selected 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and was the sixth quarterback taken in the first round, has experienced varied results in his debut season. So far, the Broncos have garnered a 3-3 record under his leadership. The rookie has displayed efficiency in some games but has also been prone to turnovers.

As the Broncos prepare to face the Saints on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7, attention turns to how Nix’s statistics compare to those of Brees in his initial outings with Payton. Whereas Nix is a rookie just finding his footing, Brees had five years of NFL experience when he joined the Saints in 2006, further emphasizing the difference in their early career circumstances.

Despite some growing pains, Payton has shown great investment in developing Nix’s skills. Drew Brees, speaking on “The Herd“, offered Nix valuable advice on navigating Payton’s coaching style. He encouraged Nix to be equally demanding in his interactions with the coach, highlighting, “Be just as demanding right back to him. Sean likes that. Sean wants to see you confident and sure.”

This advice proved timely as evidenced during a recent game against the Las Vegas Raiders, where a sideline exchange between Nix and Payton demonstrated their developing rapport. Broadcast commentators noted Brees’ advice as being instrumental in their communication.

In his 15 seasons with the Saints, Brees and Payton’s relationship reached a level where they could almost “finish each other’s sentences,” according to Brees. While such depth takes time to cultivate, Payton and Nix are evidently on a learning curve as they aim to recreate similar synergy.

The forthcoming game against the Saints not only marks Payton’s return to the Superdome but also coincides with Brees’ induction ceremony. This event could symbolize an informal passing of the torch from Brees to Nix, further solidifying Nix’s future role within the Broncos franchise.