Broncos’ Payton named an AP Coach of the Year finalist

NFL

One of three team members announced as nominees for awards

The Broncos’ Sean Payton takes the field to face the Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Jan. 12. AARON ONTIVEROZ — THE DENVER POST

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By Ryan McFadden

rmcfadden@denverpost.com

After leading the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since the 2015 season, Sean Payton has been named a finalist for the Associated Press Coach of the Year award.

Dan Campbell (Lions), Kevin O’Connell (Vikings), Dan Quinn (Commanders) and Andy Reid (Chiefs) were also nominated for the award. The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors on Feb. 6.

Payton is not the only Bronco selected as a finalist for an end-of-the-season award. Quarterback Bo Nix is a finalist for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year while cornerback Pat Surtain II has been nominated for AP Defensive Player of the Year.

On Wednesday, Surtain was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

Payton brought Denver back to the postseason in his second year at the helm. The former Saints coach guided the Broncos to a 10-7 record — their first winning season since 2016 — despite the team being restrained by $89 million in dead cap.

After Denver dropped its first two games of the season, the team went 8-3 in the following 11 games before the bye week. During that stretch, the Broncos scored at least 25 points in seven games.

Denver’s season ended in a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round.

“I thought Sean did a terrific job leading a young team,” owner/CEO Greg Penner said during the team’s end-of-the-season news conference last week. “He has really continued to build a winning culture, which is critical for the future.”

Said left tackle Garett Bolles: “Coach Payton coming in here and telling them he can turn a program around in two years is remarkable. It just speaks volumes for what type of man he is and the love that he has for his players, the love that we have for him and the respect we have for him.”

Payton has an 18-16 regular-season record as Denver’s coach. He is 17-11 since the team’s 1-5 start in 2023.

The duo of Payton and Nix helped turn around a Denver offense that had largely struggled during the team’s eight-season playoff drought. The Broncos finished 10th in scoring (25 points per game), 19th in total yards (324.6) and seventh in red zone touchdown percentage (62.7%).

Under Payton’s leadership, Nix had one of the best rookie seasons in franchise history.

Nix led all rookies in completions (376), passing yards (3,775) and total touchdowns (34) during the regular season.

Nix’s 29 touchdown passes were the second-most by a rookie in NFL history. The L.A. Chargers’ Justin Herbert had 31 touchdowns in 2020.

“(Payton) believed in me. He was quick to have my back at all times,” said Nix, who was nominated for Offensive Rookie of the Year along with quarterback Jayden Daniels (Commanders), tight end Brock Bowers (Raiders), and wide receivers Malik Nabers (Giants) and Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars).

“(It) helps me play fast and with confidence even though we both know that I’m going to make mistakes. We both know that I’m going to want some things back, but he coached me really well. I was fortunate to be coached by one of the best of all time.”

Payton won the coach of the year award in 2006 — one of eight active head coaches to do so. Only one Broncos coach has previously won the award: Red Miller in 1977.