Back in 2006, Drew Brees signed a six-year deal with New Orleans, and he'd never play for another franchise from there. Under then-new coach Sean Payton, Brees became one of the league's all-time leading passers and a Super Bowl champion.
Payton and Brees became one of the most iconic head coach-quarterback duos in NFL history over time, but after Brees eventually retired in 2020, Payton initially did as well just a year later. However, Payton made his return to coaching by taking on the Broncos' job in 2023, and he's now in his second season in Denver.
This year, Payton has been working alongside first-round pick Bo Nix in Denver's offense. Having mostly worked with a veteran in Brees throughout his career, the 60-year-old head coach is now in charge of a 24-year-old rookie quarterback.
As Payton's Broncos get set to face his former Saints team on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 7, here's a look at how Nix's rookie numbers compared to Brees' first few games playing under Payton.
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Bo Nix 2024 statsNix was drafted 12th overall in April, the sixth quarterback taken in the first round. He joined only the Bears' Caleb Williams and the Commanders' Jayden Daniels as rookies to start for their franchises in Week 1, although the Patriots' Drake Maye has taken on a starting role now, as well.
The early results from Nix are a bit back-and-forth, which certainly isn't unheard of for a young quarterback. The Broncos are 3-3 this season behind Nix, who's looked efficient in some weeks but turnover-prone in others.
Here's a look at Nix's first six games as a rookie in 2024, including both his game-by-game and total numbers.
WeekOpponentResultComp. %Pass yardsAVGPass TDsINTsRatingRush yardsRush TDs6ChargersL, 23-1657.6%2166.52184.96105RaidersW, 34-1870.4%2067.620117.2914JetsW, 10-948.0%602.41067.9303BuccaneersW, 26-769.4%2166.00085.04712SteelersL, 13-657.1%2467.00255.22501SeahawksL, 26-2061.9%1383.30247.5351Totals: 3-361.1%1,0825.55573.71803NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Drew Brees 2006 statsBy 2006, Brees had already spent five years with the Chargers. He was drafted by the team in 2001, becoming one of the league's best quarterbacks by 2004 when he totaled 27 passing touchdowns against just seven interceptions. However a serious shoulder injury in 2005 made Brees a significant risk to any team that was willing to sign him, and the Chargers eventually let him go in favor of first-round pick Philip Rivers.
Brees signed with the Saints in 2006, which was also Payton's first year in New Orleans. Together, they would make the Saints an annual playoff contender for years to come.
Comparing Nix vs. Brees' numbers in their first years under Payton warrants a reminder that Brees was in his sixth season of his career by 2006, so he had much more of a chance to develop first. That being said, here's a look at how Brees' first six games under Payton went in New Orleans:
WeekOpponentResultComp. %Pass yardsAVGPass TDsINTsRatingRush yardsRush TDs6EaglesW, 27-2473.0%2757.43298.4-105BuccaneersW, 24-2163.6%1715.21086.8-304PanthersL, 21-1873.7%3499.210110.5203FalconsW, 23-371.4%1916.80090.0102PackersW, 34-2763.4%3538.62196.9-401BrownsW, 19-1453.3%1705.71167.4-20Totals 5-166.7%1,5097.298492.8-70QBs coached by Sean PaytonBecause Brees was the Saints' starting quarterback from 2006-2020, Payton hasn't coached a very wide selection of signal callers. Of course, there have been backups who have had to fill in to start for Brees over his time in New Orleans, such as Taysom Hill and Teddy Bridgewater.
However, the only other full-time starters that Payton has coached in the NFL was the combination of Jameis Winston and Trevor Siemian with the Saints in 2021, Russell Wilson with the Broncos in 2023, and Nix this season. For a coach with 18 seasons of experience leading a team, Payton has only worked with a few different QB1s.
Brees, of course, was the most notable of that bunch, but Nix is next in line as the Broncos move forward with who they hope is their next franchise quarterback.
