ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) \u2014 Bo Nix and Sean Payton downplayed their most recent sideline exchange as each presented his version of events.<\/p>\n
The Denver Broncos quarterback maintained that what appeared to be a heated conversation Sunday at Indianapolis wasn\u2019t so much volatile as volume-related. His coach said it was simply a matter trying to get an explanation following a play.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor whatever reason, we\u2019re allowing conversations to become bigger than what they are,\u201d Nix said Wednesday, three days after the moment between him and Payton went viral as the Broncos lost 29-28 to the Colts<\/a> on a field goal as time expired.<\/p>\n Nix added the moment had more to do with not being able to hear over the noise.<\/p>\n \u201cWe oftentimes forget that it\u2019s a big stadium and a lot of people are talking at same time,\u201d said Nix, the 12th overall pick out of Oregon in the 2024 NFL draft. \u201cSo you\u2019ve got to be a little bit louder and more vocal.\u201d<\/p>\n The kerfuffle happened late in the third quarter as Nix came off the field following an incomplete pass to Evan Engram to force a punt. Payton appeared to ask Nix something as his QB walked past him toward the bench. Payton then took a few steps in the direction of Nix, who turned around and uttered something to his coach while gesturing with his hands. Nix then walked away.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was just something as simple as he asked me what happened on a play,\u201d Nix said. \u201cI told him, I turned, he couldn\u2019t quite hear, turned back and told him again. There were no issues. It\u2019s just a quick conversation with the head coach. Nothing pressing.\u201d<\/p>\n Payton minimized the situation, too.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw what you guys saw. That wasn\u2019t what it appeared, though,\u201d Payton said. \u201cIt was an affirmation of, \u2018This is what we\u2019re wanting to do.\u2019 … I think it was more about excitement, but I saw it.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess what I\u2019m saying is I don\u2019t think it was what it appeared. In fact, I know it wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Nix and Payton had a confrontation last<\/a> October after the QB went off-script against the Los Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n Payton was hot and Nix hollered back. After that particular dust-up, Payton said of his then rookie QB: \u201cThere is still a little bit of Ferris Bueller in him we are trying to get rid of. I love him to death. And sometimes (what you saw) is my love language.\u201d<\/p>\n One thing Nix won\u2019t be toning down is his aggressive nature on the football field. He had two interceptions and a fumble in a season-opening win<\/a> over Tennessee. He threw three TD passes against the Colts but also a costly interception in the fourth quarter with the team in field-goal range.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, I\u2019m always going to be aggressive, especially with our defense, knowing that they can go out there and get a stop,\u201d Nix said. \u201cYou can\u2019t play the game, you can\u2019t play the position, soft. You have to go out there and be aggressive.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re scared to make a bad play, it\u2019s usually when the bad plays happen.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n