Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is excited about what the future holds for Bo Nix after the rookie quarterback claimed his first NFL win on Sunday.
"The kid's been confident," Payton said of his first-year QB after a 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "This kid had been through Auburn. He's transferred. He's won, and won, and won, and won. And honestly, I haven't seen him flinch. We all get a little bit more confident with a win. ... We had a good plan, the players did a good job, and certainly he had more fun than he did in prior weeks."
Nix - this year's No. 12 overall pick who lost his first two NFL starts - completed 25 of 36 pass attempts for 216 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions versus the Bucs. The 24-year-old also turned heads on the ground, rushing for 47 yards and one touchdown.
Despite claiming his first win against a Buccaneers team that entered Week 3 with a 2-0 record, Nix has yet to throw a TD in the NFL.
"It's our job to paint a perfect picture for this player," Payton added. "And if we do that, and we used to say that about whoever is under (center) - our job as coaches, as receivers ... We have to paint the picture, and when we do that, this guy is going to be something."
Nix previously threw two interceptions in each of his first two games in the league. However, he took care of the ball Sunday to help Denver outgain Tampa Bay in total yards (352-223) and first downs (18-17).
"You only get this moment one time, and it's not easy winning games in this league," Nix said postgame. "Our guys deserve this. Our guys have earned this. We have a great team that really battled in there. We were one possession away in both of the first two games, so, just to do what we were able to do today against a really good football team, it gives us a little bit of confidence moving forward. Still a long season, but you have to enjoy these wins when they're here, and it's a great first win."
The Broncos visit the New York Jets in Week 4.