Sean Payton provides update on Bo Nix's recovery: 'He’s doing great'

After the Denver Broncos held a rookie minicamp practice open to media members on Saturday, coach Sean Payton spoke publicly for the first time since quarterback Bo Nix underwent a clean-up ankle surgery.

Before speaking about the rookies, Payton started his post-practice media session by providing an update on Nix's status.

"He’s doing great," Payton said of the third-year quarterback. "He’ll be well ahead of time for training camp. I think there’s a good chance we see him in this offseason program in June. We’re going to be the ones kind of holding him back, if you will. The follow-up procedure was not a surprise."

Payton went on to say the team feels "real good" about where Nix is at in his recovery, but the club will hold him back this spring to be "smart." The coach also said he expects Nix to be "full-speed" by training camp, which typically begins in late July.

Sean Payton on Bo Nix ⬇️

“He’s doing great” pic.twitter.com/HbhwDvGNXL— Rachel Vigil (@heyrachelvigil) May 9, 2026

When asked if Nix will be ready to throw during organized team activities (OTAs) in early June, Payton deflected to mandatory minicamp, which is held in mid-June (but still well before training camp).

"You’ll see him," Payton said. "I’m sure you’ll see him in probably minicamp maybe, but he’ll be full speed throwing everything in July before we even get back here. He’s doing good.”

There has been some speculation that Denver might consider adding a fourth quarterback if Nix is not able to participate in OTAs, but Payton indicated two QBs would be enough for those practices.

"[G]enerally with those practices, two [QBs] is not a problem," Payton said. "It would be more of an issue if you felt a player was going to be a PUP in training camp, and that’s not going to be the case."

Payton didn't completely rule out the possibility of signing another QB, but he made it clear that such a move wouldn't be made in response to Nix's timeline. Nix is on pace to be ready for training camp, and that's overall good news.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Sean Payton provides update on Bo Nix's ankle recovery