Sean Payton Made the Right Call on Bo Nix Ahead of Broncos' Preseason Opener

With the preseason opener coming on Friday, the Denver Broncos have made their decision.

Third-year quarterback Bo Nix won't play in Game 1 on the road vs. the Atlanta Falcons, Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced on Wednesday.

"Expecting our starters to play around 15 plays," Payton said after Wednesday's practice. "Bo won't play. He'll play next week."

The Broncos are acting accordingly with their young franchise quarterback. All of this team's 2026 ambitions are tied to Nix being on the field.

With Nix returning from a fractured ankle that required corrective surgery in January and a clean-up procedure in the spring, there's no reason to play him in the first preseason game. That's doubly true when you consider the artificial surface of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Better safe than sorry.

Nix is Healthy

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) prepares to pass the ball during training camp at Broncos Park. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Keep in mind, this isn't a reflection of Nix's performance in training camp thus far or of his overall health/recovery. He's been a full participant at camp with zero limits or strictures on his participation. Through 11 practices, he's looked as mobile and athletic as ever, like he's as good as new.

Nix's throwing motion looks more polished, and his deep-ball accuracy has been impressive. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said recently that Nix's deep accuracy has been "off the charts" in camp.

Nix looks more comfortable, more poised, and maybe even a bit more vocal. These practices have been physical and competitive, and the first-team offense and defense have butted heads at times.

Now in his third year in Payton's system, Nix recently told Kay Adams of the Up & Adams Show that he and the offense feel more on the level with the Broncos' elite defense, which has raised the competitive bar. These practices have been intense.

Thin at Center

Another big reason not to play Nix in Game 1 is the absence of a healthy center. Starter Luke Wattenberg has been out since suffering an injury on Day 3 of camp, while Alex Forsyth has missed the past three days.

Even third-team center Michael Deiter went down on Tuesday, forcing the Broncos to turn to Calvin Throckmorton to snap with the starters. Payton announced on Wednesday that Deiter suffered a major quad injury that will require surgery, which means he's likely headed for injured reserve.

The Broncos are concerningly thin at center with Wattenberg and Forsyth still sidelined. I wonder if it we were in the regular season whether Wattenberg would be able to push through the injury report to play on game day, but with no such pressure existing in August, the Broncos aren't rushing their starter back onto the field.

Expect Nix in Preseason Game 2 and 3

Bo Nix and Rashan Gary — Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) attempts to throw downfield under pressure from Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52). | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As for Nix, if this were a regular-season game, he would be playing. But it's an exhibition contest, and the Broncos made this decision weeks ago.

"He wants to play. He'll play the next two weeks," Payton said of Nix. "I think that was probably something that was already decided like a month ago. But if we were playing a game, I would say he would play—you'd have to ask him—but I would say 100%."

In all honesty, I think most Broncos fans would be fine if Nix didn't step on the field of play until Week 1 of the regular season. But he's champing at the bit to play, and Payton believes in playing his starters in the preseason to help build a football callus and re-acclimate them to NFL game speed, but there's always a fine line.

Nix obviously wants to play in the preseason, but with Game 2 (Green Bay Packers) and Game 3 (Minnesota Vikings) being at Empower Field at Mile High on a playing surface he and the Broncos know well, the team is going to bide its time.

“I think preseason’s always a great time to get back out there and get your feet wet a little bit and see defenses in a live situation before the first game," Nix said on Monday, Day 9 of Broncos camp.

By this point, all the players on the Broncos' roster are dying to go against an outside opponent. That's especially true this summer, since Payton opted to skip the opportunity to hold a joint practice with any of Denver's preseason opponents.

The Takeaweay

Fans will have to wait at least another week before seeing Nix suit up again. When he returns to the field at Mile High, it'll be the first time since he suffered that heartbreaking fractured ankle on the third-to-last play of the divisional round of the playoffs in January.

Nix led the Broncos to a 33-30 overtime win, then had to watch from the booth the next week when the New England Patriots came to town for the AFC championship game. We all know how that game turned out.

Suffice it to say, Nix is hungry. He's looking to make up for lost time after leading his team to the doorstep of the Super Bowl. But good things come to those who wait.

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