The Denver Broncos have shown significant improvement under head coach Sean Payton despite competing in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions and managing a challenging salary cap situation due to Russell Wilson’s contract. This turnaround has drawn praise from sports commentator Colin Cowherd, who highlighted the strides Payton and quarterback Bo Nix have made as the Broncos prepare for a potential breakout season.
Colin Cowherd Highlights Payton’s Transformative Role in Denver
During a July 2 episode of his podcast, Colin Cowherd discussed Denver’s progress with former NFL scout John Middlekauf. Cowherd questioned whether Payton’s achievements in Denver are being overlooked amid the spotlight on other AFC West coaches. He stated,
Are we undervaluing, because of the glare with everybody else, what he’s done in Denver?
—Colin Cowherd, Sports Media Personality
Cowherd noted the intense competition and scrutiny Payton faces in the division, where coaches like Jim Harbaugh, Andy Reid, and Pete Carroll all have strong reputations. Against this backdrop, he credited Payton with revitalizing a struggling franchise. Cowherd recalled the situation Payton inherited, saying,
He goes into an organization and the culture is broken. The quarterback’s a mess, and there’s impending new ownership. He goes in the first year. I think they won three more games. He makes Russ functional. He cleans up the offensive line from 21st to 7th.
—Colin Cowherd, Sports Media Personality
The Broncos’ offensive line improvements back up these claims: Pro Football Focus ranked Garett Bolles as the 11th-best offensive tackle and Quinn Meinerz as the third-best guard in the league. Cowherd emphasized Payton’s underappreciated impact, adding,
I don’t think he’s quite getting enough credit for what he’s done in Denver.
—Colin Cowherd, Sports Media Personality
Payton Gains Recognition in Pro Football Focus Coaching Rankings
Before the 2024 NFL season, Sean Payton was notably absent from Pro Football Focus’ top ten returning head coaches. However, after guiding the Broncos to end a postseason drought, PFF elevated him to the second-best coaching position heading into 2025. Much of this success stems from the partnership Payton developed with quarterback Bo Nix. PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman wrote,
Payton and Nix turned out to be a match made in heaven, giving Broncos fans a vision of Payton renewing the success he cultivated for so long in New Orleans. Denver’s defense was still strong last season, and Nix’s excellent 1.8% turnover-worthy play rate perfectly represented a team that didn’t beat itself.
—Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus Analyst
Despite Nix’s limited NFL experience, Denver lost only two games by more than one score last season. The team’s outlook for 2024 is positive, with new additions like linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga expected to add more resilience and competitiveness.
Expectations for Payton’s Contract and Future with the Broncos
Sean Payton currently holds a five-year, $90 million contract that extends through the 2027 season. John Middlekauf predicts the Broncos will offer an extension well before that term expires if Payton continues success. He remarked,
They are a 12, 13-win season away from getting a huge contract extension,
emphasizing that the Broncos have already achieved their first double-digit win season since their Super Bowl 50 victory. This upcoming season will mark Payton’s tenth with ten or more wins.
Looking Ahead: What Payton and Nix Mean for Denver’s Prospects
The Broncos are positioned for a meaningful rise in the NFL hierarchy, with Sean Payton’s leadership and Bo Nix’s efficient play style driving optimism. Their progress is particularly notable given the team’s previous struggles and the competitive nature of the AFC West. If the defense maintains its strength and the offense continues to improve, Denver could build on last year’s momentum and challenge strong division rivals.
As Payton garners more recognition among the league’s elite coaches and Bo Nix develops further, the Broncos are likely to attract greater attention in the coming seasons. Their ability to maintain winning seasons and compete with top teams will determine the franchise’s trajectory under this new era of leadership.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What religion is Bo Nix?
A. He is married to Izzy Smoke, who used to be a cheerleader at Auburn. Nix follows the Christian faith.
Q. Does Bo Nix have big hands?
A. Bo Nix’s hands are large, but this doesn’t guarantee he will grip the ball better than JJ McCarthy, who has smaller hands.