Broncos' Payton: In Nix 'we've found that player that can lead us'

It took only one season for rookie quarterback Bo Nix to make believers out of the Denver Broncos' brass.

"I think there were a lot of things to be encouraged about," head coach Sean Payton said of his quarterback Wednesday. "His movement skills, some of the things, maybe, that we didn’t even see or forecast coming. His decision-making. He's extremely accurate."

Payton added, "I think it's all in front of him. I’ve said this before, I think we’ve found that player that can lead us and be what we need relative to having the success we're used to having. I think we’ve found it."

Nix led the Broncos back to the playoffs in his rookie season, ending a nine-year drought. The No. 12 pick completed 66.3% of his passes for 29 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

Broncos owner Greg Penner echoed Payton's beliefs, stating he was "incredibly impressed" by Nix's poise.

"It never seemed like any moment was too big for him," Penner explained. "We had some big moments this year. He battled throughout games and never saw him give up or let up, even when things were not going our way. He's got all the physical traits that you need to be a great quarterback. Mentally, he is sharp. The players respond to him. His teammates love him."

Penner wasn't shy to share his objective for 2025 as Nix enters his second year, telling reporters that the team's "absolute goal next year is to win our division."

"Absolutely, yes," Penner said when asked if Denver was close to competing for a division title. "I mean we could have very easily been 2-0 against the Chiefs this year."

The Broncos won 10 games in 2024, finishing third in the AFC West. They went 1-1 against the division-winning Chiefs, with a 38-0 win against Kansas City's backups in Week 18 and a two-point loss in Week 10.