The Denver Broncos secured their quarterback on Thursday by selecting Oregon signal caller Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick. However, the Broncos’ initial plan was to trade up for a quarterback, but they were unsuccessful. Instead, the Minnesota Vikings made a move to trade up one spot, from No. 11 to No. 10, with the New York Jets in order to select a quarterback. With their new position, the Vikings drafted Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. According to Broncos head coach Sean Payton, this move was part of the Broncos’ strategy. Payton revealed on Friday that he aimed to lure the Vikings into moving up in the draft. “I was actively involved in trying to pretend we were moving forward,” Payton told Denver reporters on Friday. The Vikings moved up to No. 10, driven by the fear that other teams, particularly the Broncos, might make a move for a quarterback. The Jets, unlike the Vikings and the Broncos, did not have an immediate need for a quarterback. In their trade with the Jets, the Vikings exchanged their picks at No. 11, No. 129, and No. 157 to acquire McCarthy, a player heavily linked to the Broncos. The first round of the draft witnessed the selection of six quarterbacks: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., McCarthy, and Nix. It is possible that Payton’s actions were an attempt to save face after the Broncos failed to outmaneuver the Vikings in the draft. Against Minnesota, the 60-year-old coach has a less-than-stellar track record. Notably, Payton mocked Vikings fans with a “Skol” chant during the 2019 NFC Divisional Playoffs, which occurred before the “Minnesota Miracle,” when Case Keenum’s game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs sealed the Vikings’ victory. Regardless, the Broncos have found their quarterback, and Nix is thrilled to be in Denver. The 24-year-old expressed his desire to leave a lasting legacy in Denver, not merely becoming another “draft pick.” “…I don’t want to just be a draft pick,” said Nix. “I want to be able to show my improvements & show that I can do what he picked me to do, & that’s go out there & win games or help win games, do whatever I can to put his team in a better situation.” Nix brings a wealth of experience to Denver, having played three seasons at Auburn and two seasons at Oregon. In his final collegiate season, Nix led the Ducks to a 12-2 record, completing 77.4% of his passes for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Sean Payton Reveals Plan to Bait Vikings into Trading Up for J.J. McCarthy
