“Man They’re Doing Well” – Sean Payton Comments on Bo Nix & Zach Wilson Reminiscent of Russell Wilson’s Offseason in Denver

The Denver Broncos quarterback room is buzzing with an eerie sense of déjà vu. Head Coach Sean Payton’s recent assessment of Bo Nix and Zach Wilson‘s progress mirrors his remarks about Russell Wilson‘s offseason in Denver just a year ago. In 2023, Payton had lauded Wilson as a “real good off-schedule player,” highlighting his strengths in a statement that now feels like a harbinger of the team’s eventual breakup with the former star QB.

“[Russell Wilson] is going to want, he’s still young enough in his career where, and [Drew Brees] is this way, once the season starts, they want all the reps, they just want to get the timing…” Payton had said during SiriusXM NFL Radio’s Training Camp Tour, his words brimming with optimism for Wilson’s potential impact on the Broncos’ offense.

Fast forward to May 2024, and Payton finds himself in a strikingly similar situation, assessing the progress of two new quarterbacks vying for the Broncos’ starting job after Wilson’s departure to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year, $1.2 million deal. “They’re they’re all in a race to learn this system and I would say you guys watch the practice. um, man, they’re doing well “ the coach declared to pressors recently, his words carrying echoes of that bygone era when Wilson’s arrival had promised to usher in a new era of Mile High dominance.

Wilson’s tenure in Denver proved to be a disappointment, as the 2022 season unfolded with the Broncos managing a meager 287 total points, averaging just 16.9 points per game – the league’s weakest scoring offense. Wilson’s numbers, including 3,524 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, fell short of expectations, leading to the dismissal of former head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

Despite a few bright spots, such as his fourth-quarter heroics in a Week 8 comeback against the Jaguars in London, where he led two touchdown drives, including a 98-yard march, and a season-finale performance against the Chargers that saw him throw for over 280 yards and three touchdowns, Wilson’s time in Denver ultimately ended in disappointment.

For Broncos fans, Payton’s assessment of rookie quarterback Bo Nix evokes memories of Wilson’s swift adaptation to the team’s system. “He’s farther along than most would be,” Payton noted, drawing parallels to the praise he once heaped on Wilson’s ability to pick up the offense quickly.

The delicate balance of nurturing Bo Nix’s potential, heeding lessons from the Russell Wilson era

Yet, the coach’s words also carry a cautionary undertone, as Chris Simms, a former pro QB, warns against the perils of overwhelming Nix with too much, too soon. “My only worry is that Sean puts too much on him early on,” Simms cautioned, highlighting the potential pitfalls of overloading a young quarterback with complex schemes and responsibilities.

Payton, having learned from the team’s tumultuous experience with Wilson, appears determined to strike a delicate balance, surrounding Nix with seasoned mentors like veteran QB Jarrett Stidham and Philip Rivers. “He has a lot of knowledge, a lot more than I have,” Nix acknowledged, underscoring the value of the veteran Rivers guidance he’s receiving.

While Nix’s development remains a focal point, Payton’s approach is shaped by lessons learned from the team’s tumultuous experience with Russell Wilson. The coach is methodically rotating reps among his quarterback trio, allowing the cream to rise to the top without prematurely anointing a starter.

“We rotate. We’re rotating all of them right now,” Payton explained, his words starkly contrasting to the Broncos’ previous regime, which handed Wilson the keys to the kingdom without true competition.

As Payton guides his “orphaned dogs” through the offseason, his comments carry the weight of cautious optimism, tempered by the hard-earned wisdom of a coach determined to learn from the past and forge a new path toward sustained success.