In 2000, quarterback Jason Garrett arrived for what initially looked to be a routine free-agency meeting with the New York Giants to talk with Sean Payton.

It lasted six hours.

Garrett had played the previous eight seasons as a Dallas Cowboys backup. And Payton, then 36, was entering his first season as the Giants’ offensive coordinator.

“I still remember the dinner we had in Weehawken, New Jersey, overlooking the Hudson River and the New York City Skyline and just talking football for hours,’’ Garrett said.

Garrett visited with Payton, in his third season as Broncos head coach, at training camp last week and the two reminisced about that 2000 meeting. Garrett ended up signing with the Giants and played his final four NFL seasons with them, three with Payton as his coordinator and one after the coach had left to become a Cowboys assistant.

“I learned so much from (Payton) and he was really important in my career,” Garrett said. “He was fantastic as the offensive coordinator of the Giants, and I knew clearly then that he was going to be (an NFL head coach).”

Payton became the New Orleans Saints head coach for 15 seasons between 2006-21, leading them to a Super Bowl win in the 2009 season. Garrett went on to also become a head coach, leading the Cowboys from 2010-19.

“He’s really bright, and he’s been a close friend,’’ Payton said. “We’re going back to 2000.”

Garrett is now an NBC analyst who gives his views weekly during the season on Sunday Night Football. Unless there is a game that is flexed, he won’t see the Broncos play on Sunday night until Nov. 30 at Washington. But for now, he likes what he sees from them.

“I’m a big fan of this team and a lot of it comes from the leadership they have,’’ Garrett said. “They have a clear vision for what they want this team to be, and I was here last year (at training camp) and they were building that vision and I think it has continued. We saw how well they played last year to make the playoffs, and I just think they’re ready to take the next step.”

The Broncos last season went 10-7, making the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and having their first winning season since 2016. Leading the offense was rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

“It’s exciting times (for the Broncos) and having Bo Nix as your quarterback, it’s hard to do what he did as a rookie,’’ Garrett said. “There’s so much to like about him. He had 61 starts in college (at Oregon), so he is an experienced guy who has played a lot of football.”

The former quarterback has been watching Nix closely.

“I think people underestimate how fast he is, how good his arm is,’’ Garrett said. “He was a really productive quarterback in college. I think he’s been able to pick up this offense quickly and his experience and his athleticism and arm talent show up every day. He’s going to get better and better the more he plays.”

During his visit to Broncos Park, Garrett and Payton laughed about some of the moments they had with the Giants. Garrett said Payton organized games that included he and starting quarterback Kerry Collins trying to throw a football 45 yards downfield into a garbage can.

Who won?

“We’d have three throws (at a time) and we put in like 20 bucks a week and by Week 14 we hadn’t hit it,’’ Garrett said. “Then a receiver named Ron Dixon said, ‘I can get it in. How can I get into this thing?’ We said that he had to ante up for the whole year. His first throw, it hits the lip of the thing, and it bounces out. His second one, he drains it. He won a lot (of money).’’

Garrett didn’t play much during his time with the Giants, getting into just two games, both in 2000, and not throwing a pass. But he gives plenty of credit to Payton for what he learned helping him become an NFL head coach as well.

“He’s a fantastic coach and an amazing guy,” Garrett said.

What I’m hearing

–Cornerback Pat Surtain II sure does like the Broncos defenders playing in front of him. “Our whole front (seven) is scary, man, and it makes it easy for us on the back end,’’ said Surtain, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. “(Outside linebacker) Nik (Bonitto) and those guys are causing havoc on the quarterback, so it is great knowing that you have those types of players on your defense each and every week.”

–Wide receiver Troy Franklin said he isn’t worried about any outside noise entering his second NFL season. “To me, the only opinions that matter now are from the people in the (Broncos) building,’’ he said. Franklin, battling to be the No. 2 receiver behind Courtland Sutton, had three catches for 18 yards in their 30-9 win at San Francisco on Saturday in the preseason opener. Among other top candidates for the role, Marvin Mims Jr. started and had one catch for three yards and Devaughn Vele had one grab for six yards.

What I’m seeing

–Ja’Quan McMillian was the first nickel back used by the Broncos against the 49ers but got off to a rocky start. McMillian gave up a 50-yard reception from Mac Jones to Jordan Watkins on San Francisco’s first possession. But McMillian rebounded well, picking off a pass from Jones late in the first quarter. McMillian still looks to have the lead over rookie Jahdae Barron to be the primary nickel.

–Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham was impressive as a passer Saturday in relief of Nix, but he also pulled off some surprises as a runner. Stidham completed 14 of 15 passes for 136 yards with two touchdowns for a 144.0 pass rating. But he also was Denver’s leading rusher with three carries for 36 yards. He had an 18-yard jaunt, longer than his regular-season long of 11 yards in five active NFL seasons.