Bo Nix explains bye week strategy, leadership style for Broncos | Sports Coverage
ENGLEWOOD — Bo Nix spent the bye week getting back to his roots.
The Broncos rookie quarterback went to his home state of Alabama, he told reporters Wednesday upon returning to practice, for some much-needed downtime before their postseason push.
It coincided with his dad, Patrick, leading Central-Phenix City High School to a Class 7A high school football state championship.
“I was able to go home and hang out with the family. Watch my dad coach in the state championship,” Nix said on Wednesday at Broncos Park. “It’s just fun being around them and kind of going back to where it all started, where you came from, and appreciating it. Hanging out with friends and family and getting away from some football.”
Now, break time is over, with the Broncos (8-5) hosting the Colts (6-7) on Sunday afternoon at Empower Field. Denver will nearly seal its first postseason berth since 2015 with a victory. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old Broncos quarterback explained the team’s focus coming off a late-season bye week.
“The good thing is we’ve got a locked in team already. They’ve already brought the focus,” Nix said. “We had a great day of practice today. Everybody is into it. Everybody is excited to make this run here the last four games of the regular season.”
Nix has gained the trust of his teammates with 2,482 passing yards, a 63.8 completion percentage and 17 passing touchdowns. But it’s more than just numbers. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton described the unique leadership skills that allow Nix to command respect of more experienced NFL teammates.
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“He’s willing to listen. He’s willing to learn from older guys and guys that have been around. Figuring out ways to find his niche and how he wants to lead. The way that he prepares, he almost gives off a vibe of: ‘I can show you,’” Sutton said on Wednesday after practice at Broncos Park. “He might not be the ‘rah rah’ loud guy. But he knows how to get guys going in his own way. Speaking for myself and just how it seems around the locker room, guys are gravitating to it. He continues to show up week-in and week-out prepared, ready to go, (and) has that fire and has that juice when he plays.
“I think just the way that he goes about his business is a big part of his leadership style.”
Coach Sean Payton added: “Being named captain, I think it comes with success and then the work. I think he does a really good job in that role, and I think he’s comfortable in that role.”
Nix spoke about the importance of adapting his leadership style to the specific situation. However, in his rookie season, Nix understands that his voice will carry more weight with more experience gained.
“My role right now is, simply, I’ve got to go out there and perform on Sundays, so that I can help these guys win games and keep these guys going. That’s my job as a quarterback for them right now. You’ve got to honestly take the rookie out of it. It doesn’t matter. They’re looking at you like you’re a starting quarterback in the league. I’ve just got to treat it that way,” Nix said. “Right now, being young, I can’t talk a whole lot. There’s not much I can say. I haven’t really proven anything. … They want to see the work and see how hard I’m preparing and what I’m doing off the field. Do I show up the same every day? I think when they see that, they have a form of respect and trust. Then, when you go out there and make a few plays, then they believe in you, and they know they can trust you in critical moments.
“It’s just all about doing it right now. I know it’s a young stage of my career.”
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