Nix Eager To Play In Preseason Games, Payton Not So Sure

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is eager to get back into game action, according to a report from Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk that also referenced reporting from Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. 

“I’m excited,” Nix said of playing in the preseason. “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 [regular-season] game.”

Whether this actually happens or not is still up for debate. 

The Broncos will play their preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the artificial turf there could keep Nix out of action until the secnod week of preseason, Williams added. 

Coach Sean Payton hasn’t decided if he wants Nix to play yet. He broke his ankle against the Buffalo Bills in Denver’s division round win, and the AFC Championship game was the first in Nix’s career that he’s missed due to an injury. 

“We haven’t gone through the role yet,” Payton said, via Tomasson. “I’ll let you know when we go through the roles.”

It would be shocking if this happens, but Nix is also excited to see his new offensive coordinator, Davis Webb, calling plays. Webb did it last year during Denver’s preseason tilt against the Arizona Cardinals, but now he’s expected to be doing it full time. 

“I’m really excited,” Nix said. “(Webb) is going to do a great job. He does a great job of preparing. He’s going to work harder than anybody else in the building at his craft. He’s going to do his job to the best of his ability. I think that’s comforting when I go there and play and hear that voice inside my helmet.

“I also think it will be fun to grow and to learn as he goes. It’s definitely not going to be easy for him to do it for the first time, but that’s why he’s got the 11 on the field and Coach (Payton) to help support him.”

Nix has insisted he’s not going to change his game, which includes rolling out on a regular basis and running when the opportunities are there. Webb said he wants to be on the sideline when he’s calling plays, and Payton said he’s fine with that. 

“It’s not like we’re splitting the atom. That’s probably where he’ll be with (his) communication with the QBs,” Payton said. “It’s an area where I felt comfortable. I have that same vision.”

Nix is on board with that as well, despite the fact that he’s had occasional friction with Payton about which plays get called and how fast those calls are made. 

“I’ve always loved from a quarterback to a play-caller when they’re on the sideline with me,” Nix said. “I feel like they get to feel the game a little bit differently. It’s seeing the game from a different vantage point.

“I like when the play callers are with me and I can come off (the field) and have the eye-to-eye conversation. We can sit down and look at the pictures and go through them together and really get to hear from him and not have to call up to the office or get on a headset. I think the eye-to-eye communication is really important so I’m excited that he’s going to be down there with us.”