Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton against the New York Jets last week, a score that proved to be crucial in an eventual 10-9 victory.
“They’ve thrown that type of play 40 times let’s say between minicamp and OTAs,” coach Sean Payton said this week. “Courtland provides that size and sure hands. You have to get the right coverage look. There are a handful of ways we run it. Like anything else, if you repeat something and you get more and more comfortable with it, then it becomes a play you like, and it becomes one of your favorites.
“You get to it in a critical situation. That was a big drive, obviously. That was an important drive for us to kind of take it from our end and convert there and go on to score a touchdown. I think that confidence level will continue to grow, and it’s important that it grows with other route combinations.”
The score marked Nix’s first touchdown pass in the NFL, and Sutton was careful to make sure that the rookie quarterback got the ball.
“Yeah well, he was adamant about it,” Nix said. “I think that speaks to his character and his ability to be a great teammate. We all depend on ‘Court’ and rely on him. He’s a great leader and captain for us, and that just kind of represents who he is. It was a great moment. [I’m] thankful he was the one that caught it. I’m glad we can get past that and move on to other things.”
Sutton expects many more touchdown passes for Nix in the future.
“It’s a huge moment for him to be able to have,” Sutton said of Nix’s first passing touchdown. “Like I said, this is the first of many for him. There are many more to come this season and God willing, he is going to have a long, successful career. I’m just glad I was able to be part of history with him, catching that first one.
“Like I said, he’s going to have a long career. He’s going to have a lot of success and throw a lot of touchdowns, but I’m happy I was able to share that moment with him and make sure he got his first one. I told him after the game that I caught my first one in New York, too. We have a little shared history there.”
Sutton finished last week’s game with three catches for 60 yards and the touchdown. He remains Denver’s leading receiver this season.
“He played like a vet and that’s what we expect out of Court, he always does that,” Nix said. “He shows up ready to roll, competes. When his number is called, he goes out there and makes plays. So, that’s what he did [Sunday].”
Nix and Sutton will look to continue growing together when the Broncos host the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
