Sean Payton, Bo Nix explain sideline exchange: 'That wasn't what it appeared'

Perhaps it wasn't another "Ferris Bueller" moment.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix went viral on social media after CBS cameras caught them having a sideline exchange during the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The moment going viral seems to have been a case of much ado about nothing.

"That wasn't what it appeared," Payton explained after Wednesday's practice. "It was an affirmation of, 'This is what we're wanting to do.' So, sometimes ... because I was looking at [the video] and trying to think, 'Did we ever?' and I don't recall -- I think it was more about excitement. ... I don't recall it ever being -- I would know if there was ever one of those moments -- I guess what I'm saying is, I don't think it was what it appeared. In fact, I know it wasn't."

Bo Nix and Sean Payton share a moment on the sidelines pic.twitter.com/g38AQV5kq8— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 14, 2025

Nix chimed in after practice, too.

"Well, I think for whatever reason, we're allowing conversations to become bigger than what they are," Nix said when asked about the exchange. "We oftentimes forget that it's a big stadium and a lot of people are talking at the same time. So you gotta be a little bit louder, more vocal.

"So that was just something as simple as, he asked me what happened on a play, I told him, I turned -- he couldn't quite hear -- turned back and told him again. There was no issue. So it's just a quick conversation with the head coach, nothing pressing."

Nix went 22-of-30 passing on Sunday for 206 yards with three touchdown passes against one interception in a 29-28 loss. He'll aim to bounce back with a division win against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Bo Nix explains sideline exchange with Broncos coach Sean Payton