ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Even in defeat, Head Coach Sean Payton saw progress.
After Payton watched the tape from the Broncos' 13-6 loss to the Steelers, he said he noticed rookie quarterback Bo Nix make strides from his first career start to his second.
"I thought he processed pretty quickly yesterday," Payton said Monday. "I thought he got into some of his progressions really well. At the line, he's in charge of a handful of things."
Nix said after the game he thought he "took a good step," while acknowledging "sometimes good steps don't turn into wins." Denver's rookie quarterback also noted it would be a long process and that he needs to continue to "build and take steps" as the Broncos move forward.
On Monday, Payton said he agreed with Nix that he saw steps, but he also again emphasized a need for the entire offense to avoid self-inflicted mistakes.
"I just finished talking to the team," Payton said. "We're getting in our own way at times relative to penalties, third downs. Our numbers have to be better. We have to look at the volume as a staff — as a coaching staff — relative to what we're doing to be more efficient."
After Nix improved his passing totals, yards per attempt and passer rating against the Steelers, though, Payton said he saw "some things you're excited about" on tape.
"We've got to separate a little bit more and give our guys better opportunities when we're getting a lot of match or man coverage," Payton said. "We're counting on the one-on-one matchups, and we need to get into some other schemes that I think can help that way. He had a handful of RPOs he executed well. We'll build on that. But I would agree — I felt like we saw steps. And again, I think someone asked me after the game relative to his confidence, I feel a confident player. I think from that standpoint, I'm encouraged."
In the second half against Pittsburgh, Nix completed several passes for big gains, including a 26-yard dagger route to Courtland Sutton on third-and-7, a 49-yarder to Josh Reynolds on a trick play and a 22-yard completion to Reynolds on fourth-and-6. Nix finished the game 20-of-35 for 246 yards, two sacks, two interceptions and a 55.2 quarterback rating.
Payton did acknowledge a few instances in which Nix left a clean pocket, and he said the team will work to develop his confidence in that space.
"Couple things you see on tape," Payton said. "You see early on, us struggle inside, which forces him out of the pocket. Then you do see later in the second half a cleaner pocket and then him hurry it. So it's developing the confidence of climbing, developing the confidence within the framework of your protection. He does have good pocket presence for the most part. He's not someone that's just going to look to take off and look to scramble. We've got to build on that and make sure it kind of begins with that relative to the design of what you're trying to do in the drop-back passing game."
Nix is one of three rookie quarterbacks to have started the first two games of the season, and all three have already endured high and low moments. Nix, first-overall pick Caleb Williams and second-overall pick Jayden Daniels are all still seeking their first touchdown pass of the year.
As the Broncos move forward toward a two-game road stretch, Nix will aim to continue to make progress in the early stages of his career. And despite some early struggles, Payton reemphasized that he believes in Nix's confidence to fight through difficult situations.
"He's been through the firestorm, if you will," Payton said. "You're better prepared, you're better served when it comes around again. … We're not in that position right now. Obviously, we would have liked to have started better, but my point is he's someone that I think by nature is confident in his preparation, in his ability and is not going to be discouraged easily, if you will."
