NFL Exec Predicts Bo Nix Will 'Be Legit' in Sean Payton's 'Optimal' Broncos Offense

There is reportedly belief from some within the NFL that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will be able to get the most out of rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Speaking to Mike Sando of The Athletic, one anonymous NFL executive expressed their belief that Payton's system is the perfect situation for the former Oregon signal-caller, saying:

"I'm betting on it [succeeding] heavily. Bo has experience, he has enough arm talent and I think he is going to do what he is coached to do. Sean Payton's system is optimal for him. Bo is not going to go off-script as much as Russ was going to do. Look, I don't want him to be successful, but I think he is going to be legit there."

A second exec noted that while they don't necessarily think highly of Nix as an NFL prospect, they believe Payton has the best chance of helping Nix reach his potential: "I'm not a Bo Nix fan, but if anybody can get something out of him, Sean could. He'll program that kid to do exactly what he wants every week. It won't be enough the first year, but Sean will buy a third year to develop the kid and see if he can get him through."

Nix is an older prospect at 24, but he enters the NFL with a wealth of experience, as his 61 career starts at Auburn and Oregon are the most by a quarterback in NCAA history.

Everything came together for Nix during the 2023 season, as he excelled in Oregon head coach Dan Lanning's high-octane offense.

Nix completed 77.4 percent of his passes for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and just three interceptions, earning him a third-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.

The Broncos took Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, making him the sixth quarterback off the board behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy.

While Nix's college production was spectacular, many draft experts considered taking him a huge reach at 12th overall.

However, the Broncos had a massive need at quarterback after parting ways with veteran Russell Wilson. Prior to drafting Nix, Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham were the top two quarterbacks on the roster.

Payton has long been heralded as an offensive genius, as he won a Super Bowl as head coach of the New Orleans Saints and helped quarterback Drew Brees author a Hall of Fame career.

The Broncos turned to Payton after Wilson flopped in his first season in Denver, and although Wilson was not as good as he was earlier in his career with the Seattle Seahawks, he was much better under Payton in 2023, throwing for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight picks.

Nix's viability as an NFL quarterback remains to be seen, but his success or lack thereof in the coming years will likely determine Payton's fate as the Broncos' head coach.