Bo Nix's ankle recovery hits a familiar 'second step' in the Broncos' offseason plan

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sean Payton said there's a “good chance” quarterback Bo Nix will be on the field during the Denver Broncos ' minicamp next month.

“We feel real good about where he's at,” the Broncos head coach said after the team's rookie minicamp practice Saturday. “You guys will have a chance to see it here in a few weeks. Clearly, full speed by training camp. We just want to be smart relative to holding him back a little.”

About two weeks ago it was revealed that Nix, who broke his right ankle in Denver's divisional overtime win over the Buffalo Bills, had a follow-up procedure to his surgery in January, waylaying any notion of him fully participating in the early stages of the offseason training program.

Payton called the follow-up an expected part of Nix's recovery: “The follow-up procedure was not a surprise,” he said. “We had five other players who staged surgeries (this offseason) when there's a (first) step, then evaluate, and then there's a second step. He was the sixth to go through that. No surprises.”

There's a possibility that Nix could be back on the field for the team's mandatory minicamp June 16-18 before the team breaks for the summer and returns for the start of training camp in late July, the coach said.

“I think there's a good chance we see him in the offseason program,” Payton said. “We're going to be the ones kind of holding back, if you will.”

Until Nix returns, backup Jarrett Stidham, who lost the AFC championship to New England, and No. 3 QB Sam Ehlinger, will split snaps. The Broncos also have Nathan Peterman at rookie minicamp along with tryout player E.J. Warner, son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner.

George Paton contract

Payton said he's thrilled about general manager George Paton's five-year contract extension signed earlier this week that will keep him in Denver through 2030.

“I said to him, ‘Man, I consider myself very fortunate to have been with one general manager in New Orleans (Mickey Loomis) who I would call a very close friend and a great working partner, and then to find another person like George.’ I know that we both feel the same way," Payton said. "We love the grind together. He’s a tremendous asset and all, and he’s very good at what he does. I think we complement each other. I am super excited for him. I said that to you guys at the combine, it was just a matter of time. We think alike in a lot of cases.”

Payton, who turned over play-calling duties this offseason to QBs coach Davis Webb, has two more years on his contract that he signed in 2023.