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Head coach Sean Payton and quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham #8 and Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos.

Bo Nix is ​​Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton's hand-picked quarterback. Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees knows everything that goes into it.

Brees gave Nix some advice on how to deal with Payton.

“Be just as demanding with him. Sean likes that, Sean wants to see you confident,” Brees told Fox Sports 1’s Colin Cowherd on “The Herd” on Sept. 26. “Sean and I got to a point in the relationship where it was almost like we could finish each other's sentences.

“Of course there were times when I would make a mistake. And we're at the point where he knows that. He knows I knew I made the mistake, right? He doesn't have to yell and scream at me. But for a young quarterback that he's really trying to teach and he's coaching and he's kind of on the same page with, there's probably going to be a lot more of that. And he’ll be pretty hard on you sometimes.”

Nix has shown similar bluntness with his head coach, answering a question about an interception with little analysis.

Q: "Bo, can you take us through the interception in the end zone?"
Bo Nix: "Uh yeah. Um, dropped back, threw it to the other team" pic.twitter.com/eNakWpnyOr

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 16, 2024

“I think Sean loves the (firmness) that comes back from the quarterback,” Brees said.

So far, Payton has only said positive things publicly about his rookie QB. The quarterback's improving play also helps. But the head coach also previously pointed to the offensive line, wide receiving corps, running game and coaching staff when asked about Nix's early struggles.

That says nothing about how Payton deals with Nix privately. But Payton spoke in June about feeling rejuvenated by the younger squad this season.

His optimistic approach towards Nix would fit in with this.

Drew Brees' approach is a blueprint for Bo Nix

GettyHead coach Sean Payton and Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints.

Brees spent 14 of his 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints under Payton from 2006 to 2020, winning 11 Pro Bowl games and winning the Super Bowl after the 2009 season.

Their success was no coincidence.

“I knew exactly what he was thinking before he called the play. We had just rehearsed it so much. We had talked about it so much over the week that the moment we crossed the 50-yard line, I knew that was the play call coming out of his mouth. At that moment…we're in the red zone, that's the game we're playing. Once they go to that defense, that's what he wants. Or that pressure, he wants that, right?” Brees told Cowherd.

“These are things we talked about the night before the game and rehearsed together. We punctuate the call sheet. “Here's my favorite piece, Sean.” He tells me his favorite pieces, doesn't he? We just rehearse it over and over again so we can just be like we’re a ghost out there somehow.”

Brees pointed to Payton's former boss and mentor, Hall of Famer Bill Parcells, as the origin of his former coach's approach. Parcells was a famously demanding but equally revered coach.

Bo Nix and Broncos prepare for an emotional tilt against the Jets

GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos.

Emotions could run high when the Broncos and New York Jets square off in Week 4. The Broncos are fielding several former Jets players, including backup quarterback Zach Wilson and starting defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.

The Jets also employ former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Payton eliminated Hackett's term in July 2023.

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers shot back and said Payton should do it Keep Hackett's name out of his mouth.

Payton expressed regret over his comments and Rodgers tried to downplay them as old news. But there is enough history on both sides from players and coaches to create a particularly exciting atmosphere in this competition.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including as a byline at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He lives in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter