Both the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings were heavily linked to JJ McCarthy.

Sean Payton baited the Minnesota Vikings to trade up for JJ McCarthy (Image via Imago)

In any edition of the draft, some teams try and make a move that forces another team to make some changes to their strategy. Just last night, there was one situation that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton revealed. He faked a situation so that the Minnesota Vikings were forced to trade up in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft yesterday.

After the 1st round ended, the Denver Broncos held a press conference to talk about their 1st round selection. During that question-answer round, head coach Sean Payton revealed this ‘baiting’.

I was actively involved in trying to pretend we were moving forward. It’s this time of the year, and it’s difficult. And we want to keep our options open. You might have needs at rush edge, tackle, receiver. Then you’re really manage. But when it comes to something this specific relative to the quarterback, it’s, man, you just don’t want others to know that this is their focal point.

Sean Payton said

Essentially, Payton suggested that had the Broncos even hinted that they wanted Bo Nix, the entire game would have changed. The Minnesota Vikings took the bait as both teams were heavily linked to JJ McCarthy.

Therefore, Payton and the Broncos faked that they might move up to 10th to pick up a quarterback. Their fake caught the Vikings off-guard and forced them to surrender two additional picks, just to move up one spot.

The Broncos knew that the Vikings had their eyes on McCarthy and were not looking at the other remaining quarterbacks. Therefore, the Broncos with their fake, ensured that they could pick their preferred choice in Bo Nix.

Bo Nix was Sean Payton’s choice all along

Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos had Bo Nix in their sights all along. Even though they were heavily linked to JJ McCarthy, Payton wanted Nix.

Once we knew this was our target, every time Chase Daniel or Dan Orlovsky got on like, 'This is perfect!' I would be like, 'Shh! Can you be quiet?'

Sean Payton added

Payton and his team did not want the NFL world to get wind that they were locked in on Nix from the start. However, he is happy that they drafted Bo Nix.

Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos always wanted Bo Nix (Image via Imago)
However, Payton was clear that he expects good quarterback play from the Oregan star. That, along with great defense and a running game will ensure they have success in Denver. Therefore, selecting Nix, whose skills Payton can build on, was the clincher in selecting him.

Sean Payton got his guy. Now he has to work with him and take the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl. That is his mission after all the debacle that took place last season with Russell Wilson.