Sean Payton draws comparison between Bo Nix and Drew Brees
Former Oregon and Auburn quarterback Bo Nix has drawn a number of notable comparisons since he was selected by the Denver Broncos at 12th overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
And one of the latest to come down the pipe is from none other than ex-New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, who compared Nix to Saints legend Drew Brees.
Those are some high standards to live up to. After all, Brees is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who is fully expected to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2026.
“You see pretty good pocket sense,” Payton said of Nix in a recent interview on 104.3 The Fan. “Doesn’t take a lot of sacks. I think when he knows when the play’s over, time to go, and then, I think he can make plays when he’s going.”
Payton also highlighted the way Nix doesn't take unnecessary sacks, which is a reflection of his sense for pressure, improvisation ability and quick release that he brings to the table.
“I used to say this all the time: The sack numbers are a reflection more on the quarterback than the offensive line. Brees was one of those guys, he was a tough sack," Payton said. "The ball came out, and I think Bo has traits like that.”
Nix was sacked just five times during the 2023 season, posting one of the best numbers in the category among all of the nation's signal-callers. Brees, over the course of a 20-year career, was only sacked more than 30 times in a season twice.
Regardless of what anyone's opinion is on whether or not Nix has what it takes to reach the heights of Brees, there is no question that this means Payton likes what he sees out of his new quarterback, and points to that he could be atop the depth chart sooner rather than later. Will Saints fans agree? We'll find out when Payton and Nix visit the Caesars Superdome in prime time on Oct. 17.
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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Sean Payton draws comparison between Bo Nix and Drew Brees