Patriots Legend Shares Major Sean Payton Regret and Delivers Strong Message for Bo Nix

Sean Payton’s playbook consists of precision throws and offensive fireworks. For instance, picture a young Drew Brees rising from the ashes in New Orleans when Payton was his HC, or Tony Romo morphing from undrafted backup to Cowboys legend under Payton’s offensive plans. He has been able to turn raw talent into success, but even the coach had his ‘what if’ moments simmering on the back burner.

Enter Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots’ cannon-armed icon, who carved his own legacy before Tom Brady’s ascent. Bledsoe once worked with eight different offensive coordinators—a revolving door of schemes and voices. But one name still haunts him like an unfinished symphony. “I really wish I could have worked with Sean Payton more,” Bledsoe admitted during a May 20 chat on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on YouTube. “He was an artist when it came to calling plays. He really understood the game.”

Bledsoe’s confession isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a neon sign flashing above Payton’s latest project: Broncos rookie Bo Nix. Payton, now in his third year of reshaping Denver, faces his toughest test yet. After cutting Russell Wilson a season ago and absorbing $85 million in dead money, the Broncos bet their future on Nix, the 12th overall pick. Critics like Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame called Denver’s roster “talentless,” but Bledsoe sees Payton’s genius as the ultimate equalizer.

“Great coordinators and quarterback coaches,” he said. “They make things more simple for you. They don’t overload you with too much information, and they’re able to take really complex things and make them simple for you.” Payton’s track record backs the hype. He turned Kerry Collins into a Comeback Player of the Year candidate and revived Brees’ career post-shoulder disaster.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Oregon quarterback Bo Nix answers questions from the media during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine on March 1, 2024, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire NFL: MAR 01 Scouting Combine EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2403010459

Then there was Russell Wilson, who improved under Payton, jumping from a 16:11 TD-to-INT ratio in 2022 to 26:8 in 2023. The catch? Wilson’s lingering habits—holding the ball too long, erratic scrambles—clashed with Payton’s quick-strike system. Enter Nix, whose college tape screams compatibility with Payton. Besides, Denver’s offense isn’t the barren wasteland critics claim.

Courtland Sutton’s red-zone dominance pairs with rookie Troy Franklin—Nix’s Oregon safety blanket. The line? It is anchored by guard Quinn Meinerz and tackle Garett Bolles. Payton’s blueprint hinges on speed—quick throws, faster decisions. Drew Brees averaged 2.56 seconds per pass in New Orleans; Russell Wilson lingered at 2.92, as reported in January 2023. Nix, who thrived on rapid reads at Oregon, fits like a glove.

Sean Payton’s redemption arc!

Payton’s past QB misses still sting. In 2017, the Saints eyed Patrick Mahomes, only to watch Kansas City leapfrog them in the draft. “Losing out on Patrick Mahomes was something that haunted Sean Payton,” ESPN’s Seth Wickersham revealed. But those scars sharpened his evaluation process. Now, with Nix, Payton has his handpicked heir—a chance to out-duel Mahomes in the same division. Bledsoe’s advice for Nix?

Let Payton simplify the game. Early signs are promising. Nix organized a QB-WR retreat this offseason, bonding with rookies like Pat Bryant over routes and golf. “He [Bo] called me the same night of the draft, and I think like 3-4 days later we all was in the group chat, and he was telling us, ‘alright, bet we all going to like a quarterback-receivers retreat,’” Bryant said. Even a fiery sideline spat with Payton last season proved their partnership’s mettle.

“Two guys who want to do what’s best for the team,” cornerback Pat Surtain noted. “When you have two guys like that, it just brings respect upon both of them, and it makes the team better.” Besides, Sean Payton’s career is a tapestry of redemption arcs—Brees, Romo, even himself post-Saints suspension. In Denver, he’s weaving another underdog story.

As Bledsoe put it, “They [great coaches] make things more simple for you.” For Nix, that means mastering Payton’s tempo, trusting his weapons, and silencing doubters.

Payton built this offense. Now, will Bo Nix arrive?

 

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