Sean Payton didn’t just take his foot off the gas. He yanked the emergency brake, got out of the car, handed the keys to Josh Allen, and crawled home on all fours.

The Denver Broncos have found their quarterback in Bo Nix and now must continue to put the proper weapons around him.

He battled,” Sean Payton said of Broncos QB Bo Nix. “There are some third downs I’m sure he’ll want back. Some plays that he’ll want back.”

The Denver Broncos' first postseason trip since the 2015 campaign was short-lived. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills defeated Denver 31-7 in Sunday's AFC

As the Denver Broncos begin to sift through all that was the 2024 season, they have already come away with at least one conclusion -- they found their quarterback of the present and future in Bo Nix.

Your (column) about Bo Nix turning the Broncos into Super Bowl contenders next year was premature. The Broncos have eight games next year against playoff teams. You’ve obviously drank the Kool-Aid. A bit of pragmatism would be refreshing when writing about the Broncos’ future.

Denver Broncos owner Greg Penner, general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton all spoke glowingly of QB Bo Nix, who they believe is the future of the franchise under center.

Payton also said the gap to elite is closing with the Broncos feeling good about what would have been a second-round game at Kansas City if they got by the Bills.

The Denver Broncos' season ended with a crushing defeat in the wild-card round against the Buffalo Bills, with the final score a disheartening 31-7. The post NFL Announces Dual Blow to Sean Payton’s Broncos With Major Punishments After Bo Nix & Co.

ESPN released their version of an NFL All-Pro team, and defensive tackle Zach Allen and cornerback Pat Surtain made the list. The Broncos won ten games the hard way this year. While the Sean Payton-Bo Nix offensive connection contributed, Allen and Surtain’s play on defense allowed the unit to help Denver reach the playoffs.

When Bo Nix was selected with the No. 12 pick, no one knew what to expect. We all wanted to “Bolieve.” There was cautious optimism that the rookie quarterback from Oregon would become “the guy” for the Denver Broncos.