After selecting Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the NFL Draft last month, the Denver Broncos and head coach Sean Payton undoubtedly hope that he can adapt quickly to the NFL game and ultimately earn the starting job to replace Russell Wilson. But there are some things he has to learn and get comfortable with before the team will be ready to fully trust him.
During a recent press conference, Sean Payton made it clear that he thinks Bo Nix needs to get comfortable throwing into tighter windows and getting the ball out of his hands quicker.
“I think that you immediately begin to feel the speed difference and the reaction difference and the length,” Payton said. “What was open in college, those windows were bigger. Generally speaking, then you begin to adapt to the timing. One of the things that all of these [do is] get the ball out quick. Holding onto the ball and waiting can sometimes be obviously detrimental. I think it’s the studying and the understanding of the defensive scheme, and then understanding where the windows are in regard to the spacing. I do think that begins the first time you’re out here and everyone is moving around full speed. It’s like, ‘Wow!’ The speed of your simulator just went up a little bit.”
Payton has already been impressed with his new quarterback, saying that Nix is “throwing the ball extremely well” and it sounds like he’s well on the way to making these changes and possibly earning the starting role before the season.