Payton sticks with Bo Nix

Sports · Heat 1.2 / 10 · 6 shows · 1h 22m airtime

On October 20, Broncos coach Sean Payton said he is not considering a quarterback change from Bo Nix to Jarrett Stidham. The offense ranks 25th in points at 15 and 31st in rushing at 81.2 yards per game, and Nix completes 30% of his passes under pressure, the worst rate in the NFL. Payton has since taken over play calling after a midseason coordinator switch, and one read attributes Nix's indecision to volleying between two play callers. Nix's fifth-year option, around $30 million, comes due next spring, while his representatives will reportedly ask for $55-60 million a year. The discussion centers on whether Denver is winning with Nix or in spite of him, and whether the coordinator change shifts blame…

How 6 podcasts covered it

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-09 (13:59 to 16:59)
Recaps Payton taking back play calling
Recaps Payton formally taking play calling back from Davis Webb after four games, plays his comments calling Webb a future head coach, and argues the problem sits more with Bo Nix than with either coach. Stays inside the coordinator-change story already on the record.
First Things First, 2026-10-09 (1:22:20 to 1:28:30)
Argues the play-calling shift pressures Nix
Recaps Payton taking back play calling for the Chargers game and argues the move shifts pressure onto Bo Nix. Stays inside the play-calling change already on the record, adding only supporting stats about the offense's slow starts.
Nightcap, 2026-10-10 (32:58 to 43:21)
Pairs Payton's play-calling move with Ryans' switch
Takes up Payton's confirmation that he is taking play calling back from Davis Webb and pairs it with DeMeco Ryans doing the same in Houston. The new material is Denver's offensive rankings and the first-half scoring drought that prompted the move.
New angle: The Broncos rank 25th in points at 15 and 31st in rushing at 81.2 yards per game.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-12 (20:46 to 22:25)
Argues Denver needs a more vertical offense
Reacts to the Broncos' win over the Chargers and the dink-and-dunk offense around Bo Nix, arguing Denver needs to get back to a more vertical approach. Stays inside the Payton-and-Nix debate already on the record, with a detour on Brian Flores's blitz schemes.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-12 (27:36 to 32:07)
Argues Nix's slow starts are a trend
Recaps Payton taking over play calling and the win over the Chargers, then argues Nix's first-quarter struggles are a trend, not a fluke. Stays inside the play-calling and Nix debate already on the record.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-12 (20:03 to 27:49)
Notes Payton's fourth-down field goal
Betting segment on Denver's cover against the Chargers. It credits the four rookie Chargers linemen and Herbert's turnovers, and puts on the record that Payton kicked a field goal on fourth and one with the game tied at 17 in the fourth quarter.
New angle: Sean Payton kicked a field goal on fourth and one with the game tied at 17 in the fourth quarter.
First Take, 2026-10-14 (23:40 to 28:24)
Plays panic or patience on Nix's hesitant reads
Plays panic or patience on Bo Nix after the Chargers game, with two of three hosts choosing panic over his hesitant reads and cautious comments. The stats and the one-for-12 third down are a recap of what the week's coverage already had.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-14 (27:50 to 33:23)
Runs the year-over-year decline in Nix's numbers
Runs the year-over-year decline in Nix's completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating, then argues defenses have caught up to him the way they did to Mitch Trubisky. Stays inside the numbers already on the record and adds only the hosts' own read.
First Take, 2026-10-15 (6:42 to 11:59)
Adds Nix's 30% completion rate under pressure
Debates whether Nix is holding Denver back. Kimes puts the blame on the quarterback and adds two figures not yet on the record: the league's lowest rate of throws of 10-plus yards and a 30% completion rate under pressure, the worst in the NFL.
New angle: Nix completes 30% of his passes under pressure, the worst rate in the NFL.
First Things First, 2026-10-15 (1:24:53 to 1:30:05)
Turns to Nix's option and regression
Turns to Bo Nix's contract and on-field regression ahead of the Seahawks game: the fifth-year option comes due next spring at around $30 million, and Nix has no touchdown passes and a 34% completion rate under pressure this year.
New angle: Bo Nix's fifth-year option, around $30 million, comes due next spring.
Nightcap, 2026-10-16 (20:16 to 29:10)
Turns to Nix's contract ask after the Seattle win
Turns to Nix's contract after the Seattle win: his representatives will ask Denver for $55-60 million a year, and the hosts argue Payton's conservative play calling shows he does not trust the quarterback he would be paying.
New angle: Nix's representatives will ask the Broncos for $55-60 million a year.
Nightcap, 2026-10-16 (29:10 to 38:16)
Weighs Nix's contract and a mechanics coach
Turns to Nix's contract outlook and the case for an offseason mechanics coach, with Shannon Sharpe arguing Denver should make him play year four and use the fifth-year option and franchise tags. The contract figures and the guru idea are opinion and prediction, not a new development.
The Rich Eisen Show, 2026-10-16 (21:26 to 24:46)
Adds the two-play-caller explanation for Nix
Brings in Sean McDermott, who coached against Nix the last two seasons, to react to the Orlovsky and Fitzpatrick criticism. He agrees Nix looks indecisive and offers the two-play-caller explanation, then detours into Fitzpatrick's shirtless playoff moment in Buffalo.
New angle: McDermott says Nix's indecision may stem from volleying between two play callers this season.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 2026-10-20 (27:02 to 28:55)
Plays Payton declining a quarterback change
Plays Payton's clip declining a quarterback change and debates whether Denver wins with Nix or despite him, with a look at the Cardinals as a road double-digit winner coming off a big win.
New angle: Sean Payton said he is not considering a quarterback change from Bo Nix to Jarrett Stidham.
The Pat McAfee Show, 2026-10-21 (43:29 to 48:22)
Debates Payton taking over the play calling
Turns to Denver's midseason play-caller switch, with Sean Payton taking over from Davis Webb, and the offense's poor execution. JJ Watt says a midseason terminology change is hard; the group debates whether Bo Nix looks rattled despite a 4-2 record. It stays with the quarterback question rather than the benching itself.
New angle: The Broncos switched offensive coordinators midseason, with Sean Payton taking over play calling.