After Russell Wilson’s 45-Sack Season, Sean Payton’s Crucial Criteria Fulfilled in Broncos’ QB Room Revolution: “A Trait You Look For”

A staggering statistic epitomized last season’s woes for Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos – the veteran quarterback was sacked a whopping 45 times. This alarming number not only highlighted the offensive line’s struggles but also exposed a glaring need for a more mobile, elusive signal-caller capable of navigating crumbling pockets.

Head coach Sean Payton, known for his innovative offensive philosophies, recognized this necessity and set out to reshape the Broncos’ quarterback room. In his own words following the Broncos’ rookie minicamp practice, Payton affirmed to the media, “We’ve always valued that in the position…relative to protections and when the pocket gets a little muddy, the ability for the quarterback to move some, move a lot, and make the right decisions…so um yeah it’s I mean it’s a trait you look for.“

Payton’s emphasis on mobility isn’t a fleeting trend but rather a time-honored principle rooted in the game’s history. He harked back to legends like Steve Young, who exemplified the art of extending plays with his athleticism. “That goes back to [Steve] Young and [Joe] Montana. Historically, that’s nothing new,” Payton noted, underscoring his steadfast belief in the value of a quarterback’s wheels.

Enter Bo Nix, the Broncos’ first-round pick out of Oregon. During the team’s rookie minicamp, Nix’s poise, patience, and pinpoint passing impressed Payton, who likened the rookie’s composed demeanor to “watching a good golfer.” Payton elaborated, “With each play, the efficiency of how he’s operating, and all of that,” suggesting Nix possesses the mental fortitude to complement his physical tools.

Is Bo Nix fulfilling Payton’s prototype, unlike Russell Wilson?

Nix’s addition to the Broncos’ quarterback room signals a seismic shift in the team’s philosophy, one that aligns with Payton’s long-standing criteria for evaluating the position. As the coach bluntly stated at the NFL Combine in April, “We’ve never not valued a quarterback that can beat you with his feet.”

Payton understands that in the modern NFL, where defensive schemes grow increasingly complex, having a quarterback who can change the game with their legs is a necessity, not a luxury. “We are seeing more in the college game, and then we get to evaluate that and then we’re seeing more of that come into our game,” he acknowledged.

His commitment to this philosophy is evident in his praise for Nix’s elusiveness during the minicamp, as well as his acknowledgment of the league’s evolution. “I don’t know that we see that play 10 years ago,” he remarked, referencing the RPO option play Kansas City executed in the Super Bowl, “but I think it’s good.” With Nix’s arrival and Payton’s steadfast vision, the Broncos are poised to usher in a new era of quarterback play.