During training camp, former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel and NFL insider for The Athletic, Dianna Russini sat down with a superstar trio for the Denver Broncos — head coach Sean Payton, reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain and quarterback Bo Nix — on their “Scoop City” podcast.

(Timestamps where the interview begins are in parentheses.)

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Bo Nix (:32)

Nix was first asked about what it has been like to transition from his rookie year to 2025. “It’s a lot easier this year,” said Nix. “It’s the first time since my junior and senior year in high school I had the same (offensive) system back-to-back years.”

Nix returns to a Broncos offense that recently re-signed his No. 1 pass catcher, Courtland Sutton, the entire starting offensive line and head coach Sean Payton behind the mic. With that level of continuity coming back into the offense, and a few new weapons entering the fray in the form of Evan Engram, RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins and Pat Bryant, Nix may be set up for a special year under center.

Pat Surtain (12:18)

Surtain is coming off a dominating season in which he was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award. As one of the top corners in the NFL today, Surtain was asked to name his top quarterbacks in the NFL. Some of his answers were expected: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) and Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers). But one name on Surtain’s list of top quarterbacks may be a little unexpected. “Bo Nix,” said Surtain. “I’m telling you, Bo’s gonna be a problem.”

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Nix is the playcaller Surtain faces off with the most, but if Nix is getting that type of praise from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, it is something to take note of.

Surtain was also asked about the challenge each week of going up against an opponent’s top receiver. “I know my name is going to be called, you know what I mean,” said Surtain. “Guarding the best. I strive for challenges. You know, I strive for those matchups because I know I’m going up against the best each and every week is only going to build the best out of me and bring out the best in me. And I accept that. I accept that role in this defense.”

Some of his toughest challenges will come in the first half of the season against Ja’Marr Chase (Week 4, vs. Cincinnati Bengals) A.J. Brown (Week 5, @ Philadelphia Eagles) and CeeDee Lamb (Week 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys).

Sean Payton (23:27)

Payton was asked about both the offense and the defensive sides of the ball, both of which received major free agent upgrades. Payton was asked about the state of the defense heading into 2025. “Confident,” said Payton. “Swagger. You take and look, in big games last year, we saw them play and play, turn the ball over, sacks, and then you add (safety Talanoa) Hafunga and (linebacker Dre) Greenlaw, and you add a few of those pieces along with these young guys, and I would say the front, secondary — I mean, Surtain, Defensive Player of the Year, Moss — I’d say confident.”

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If healthy, the Broncos could prove to be the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 2025, with plenty of reasons for optimism in the future.

You can watch the full Scoop City podcast below:

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Nix, Surtain, Payton sit for podcast, talk 2025 goals