Sean Payton Believes Broncos' Defensive Additions Will Help Bo Nix

The Denver Broncos made three major free agent signings this offseason to bolster their roster ahead of the 2025 season. Denver added Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw on the defensive side and Evan Engram on the offensive side.

Then the Broncos spent their first-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on cornerback Jahdae Barron, seemingly putting a larger emphasis on building up their defense than the offense this offseason.

However, Sean Payton believes that building a good defense is just as important for his young quarterback as surrounding him with talent.

"We're trying to put together the best team we can," Payten said, via ESPN. "And I hear what's said, and I understand the questions, but there are a lot of ways to help a young quarterback - any quarterback - a good defense helps a quarterback."

The Broncos' defense was already a top-10 defense in the NFL in 2024. Denver gave up the seventh-fewest yards per game, led the league with 63 sacks, and gave up the third-fewest points per game.

Now the Broncos have added a veteran linebacker and All-Pro safety to the mix in addition to their first-round draft pick to play opposite their reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II.

The Broncos' defense has a chance to be the best unit in the league in 2025, and that is only a good thing for Nix on the other side.

However, on the offensive side, after a strong rookie season, Nix's development this offseason has been praised by his teammates and coaches. A lights-out defense should only help with the quarterback's development in his sophomore season.

Nix will have his top receiver, Courtland Sutton, back with the addition of a safety blanket in Evan Engram, and his backfield got a lot scarier when the Broncos recently signed J.K. Dobbins.

The Broncos' electrifying backfield will feature the two-headed monster of Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey, and Denver will look for one of its young receivers to step up as the No. 2 option.

There's a lot of excitement in Denver around Nix's potential in 2025, but even if he finds some hiccups, the Broncos' defense should be good enough to keep the team contending for the playoffs.