ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Bo Nix was blunt when asked about his involvement in the game-planning process alongside Sean Payton in early September, days before the Broncos’ coach-quarterback duo prepared for their first game together.

“Right now I don’t have much to say as a rookie,” Nix said the week before his NFL debut in Seattle. “I just go in there and do what I’m told.”

That wasn’t a complaint. In fact, far from it. Nix praised Payton and Denver’s offensive staff for being “very intrigued by what I’ve been good at in the past and what strengths I have” and for addressing those. Thanks to this approach, mutual trust was built throughout the offseason.

“At the same time, he’s been doing this for almost 20 years, so he’s going to do what he’s comfortable with,” Nix said of Payton. “It’s my job to go out there and implement what he demands.”

Fast forward to early December, as the surging Broncos prepare to host the Cleveland Browns on “Monday Night Football,” and it’s clear that Nix is ​​no spectator in shaping an offense that continues to improve. Nix may not co-write every play with Payton, but his voice in formulating the plan carries weight. And Nix is ​​no wallflower.

“I don’t mind giving him an honest opinion,” Nix said.

While Nix earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors three times in a row, teammates and coaches praise the rookie’s unwavering routine. On match days he arrives on the pitch almost four hours before kick-off. His routine begins with dynamic stretching, resistance band exercises and sprints, then evolves into a layered throwing program with quarterbacks coach Davis Webb. The game day routine reflects his detailed preparation throughout the week, and Nix has refined his process over the course of the season.

“We can tell him, ‘This is what Davis did when he played; Here’s what Drew (Brees) did when he was playing and we were coaching him, helping him figure out exactly what his routine should be,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “He’s very disciplined in that regard and very mature in that regard.”

Right-back Quinn Meinerz said he doesn’t view Nix’s remarkable achievements in recent months as a quantum leap “because I’ve seen the same type of person every day.”

“He works hard and over time as a young player you will develop with more games, more snaps, more everything,” Meinerz said. “He’s here early every day, the guy who’s first in and last to leave. He prepares really well and it shows in every moment. He has extreme self-confidence that makes him ready for anything.”

As Nix refined his routine in his first year in the NFL, he became more comfortable with how his preparation fits into Denver’s offensive ecosystem. With Payton, Lombardi, Webb, passing game coordinator John Morton and senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael, the Broncos have an offensive braintrust that has worked together for years – in some cases more than a decade – and has developed a collaborative process that invites healthy confrontation .

“The worst thing is being alone with an idea,” Payton said. “Like, ‘Joe, what do you think?’ Pete?’ These guys and Davis, whoever is in this room – whether it’s the running game or the passing game – ultimately I’m going to say I’m happy with it or not. I have to name it, but I think those soundboards over the years, the filters, are what they are. I don’t want people who just agree with everything.”

This process has led to noticeable, if subtle, changes in the way the Broncos game plan and call plays around Nix. According to TruMedia, Denver’s use of play-action passes has increased from 8.5 per game in Weeks 1-4 to 10.1 in the eight games as Nix’s ability to use his legs in planned rollouts is better utilized . You’ll also find ways to make Nix the focus more conveniently. The rookie has been in the shotgun just 61.8 percent of the time since Week 8, ranking 32nd of 39 quarterbacks in that frame, a development that helps Denver’s run-pass disguise. The Broncos have also had success with an expanded selection of scripts in recent weeks, including two that went for touchdowns in their Week 11 win over the Falcons.

“We have a lot of guys involved in these plays — backs, receivers — and they have to think about it,” tight end Adam Trautman said of Denver’s screen game, long a key tenant of Payton’s best offenses. “It slows down the rush and helps with things like that. “It’s always been a big part of this offense and it’s good to get that going.”

The wealth of offensive experience on his staff and in his quarterback room – Nix credits backups Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson with helping him navigate life as an NFL quarterback – allows Payton to comfortably delegate tasks and manage the workload for divide the game planning. But his personal relationship with his quarterback as the final touches are put to those plans remains as important as ever. While preparing for last week’s game against the Raiders, Payton gave some insight into how those matchups went.

“I think the process has been pretty consistent and there will be certain things (that change) week to week,” Payton said. “What’s really important is (preparation) throughout the week. We’re planning the third game tonight. There is a piece I would like to install. Because it’s a play we haven’t played yet, it’s important that the look we get (from the defense in practice) tomorrow – maybe twice – is conducive to a new play. Probably also for (Nix), where he said on Saturday: “It’s a green piece, I like it.” That’s why this dialogue, this back and forth, is important.”

In other words: Nothing has a say. The son of a former college and high school head coach, Nix has always had a deep appreciation for the detailed work the staff puts into creating game plans that address opponents’ weaknesses, minimize their own and generally provide a path to victory plan. And it’s clear he’s enjoyed his growing contribution to that plan over the course of an increasingly impressive rookie season.

“We’re evolving, cutting it off on the sidelines and going back and forth,” Nix said last month of his relationship with Payton. “It’s good times out there and great memories.”

(Top photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)