Broncos coach Sean Payton reacts to Bo Nix's outburst on the sideline

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was caught on camera yelling at coach Sean Payton during Sunday's 34-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Payton and Nix both indicated after the game that the heated exchange was no big deal, and Payton went a step further during his conference call with reporters on Monday.

Payton not only didn't mind the incident, he liked it.

“Absolutely, absolutely,” Payton said when asked if he liked seeing that kind of reaction from Nix on the sideline. “It's all ok. It's the heat of the moment, it's the game. It's competitive, it's fiery. We are in business with passion.

“We’re looking for passion and we’re looking for people who are passionate about the game – not other things. I think it's so important to him. Again, I liked his answer. We're on to the next piece and it's nothing.

Sean Payton explains why he “loved” Bo Nix's reaction during a heated exchange on Sunday: “He's competitive, he's fiery and…look, we're in the business of passion. We're looking for passion, and we're looking for people who are passionate about the game, not other things.… pic.twitter.com/bgN1mJcIzI

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 7, 2024

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain had a similar reaction during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday.

“I just see two competitive people trying,” Surtain said of the heated moment. “When you find yourself in a situation like that, football obviously brings out the best in you. They both have the same personality, they just want to win games at the end.”

“I just see two competitive people doing their best and football brings out the best in you.”

They both have the same personality and just want to win football games” ~ @PatSurtainll https://t.co/MjOa3vG8i9 pic.twitter.com/EpluafTqPd

– Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 7, 2024

Nix led two more touchdown drives after that sideline change and finished the day completing 19 of 27 passes for 206 yards with two touchdown passes, one touchdown run and no interceptions. The passion Nix showed on the sideline wasn't a bad thing, as Payton made clear.