Rookie Bo Nix joins NFL legend John Elway in exclusive Broncos club: 'You're in great company'

The Denver Broncos opened Week 7 confidently, defeating the New Orleans Saints 33-10 on Thursday.

The game also marked the return of former Saints coach Sean Payton to New Orleans. Payton coached the Saints to the franchise's only Super Bowl victory in 2010.

In April, Payton and the Denver Broncos front office decided to draft quarterback Bo Nix in the first round.

The former Oregon standout won the starting job straight out of training camp and has already experienced his fair share of ups and downs in his young NFL career. But on Thursday night, Nix wrote his name into the Broncos' history books.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix struggles to find a receiver during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on September 22. (AP Photo/Chris OMeara)

The win over New Orleans improved Denver's record to 4-3 and allowed Nix to match the Broncos' record for wins by a rookie quarterback. Two-time Super Bowl winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway set standards back in 1983. The team finished that season with a record of 4-7.

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In 2019, quarterback Drew Lock posted a 4-1 record in five starts in his rookie season.

Nix said it meant “a lot” to realize he had accomplished something comparable to one of the franchise’s greatest players.

A Denver Broncos fan waves a team flag. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

“It means a lot,” the new signal-caller told reporters Thursday night. “You’re talking about one of the greats to ever make it in our organization. That means a lot.”

There is still a lot of football left this season and Nix acknowledged there is still room for improvement.

“You are in great company. I'm not finished yet. We still have a lot to do, so I definitely don't want to stop here. We will continue to get better as a team. I will continue to grow and learn as a player. Hopefully we will continue to achieve such victories,” he said.

Denver Broncos president of football operations John Elway looks on before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on December 19, 2021. (Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Nix finished Thursday's game with 164 passing yards. He also accumulated 75 rushing yards.

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The Broncos got off to an 0-2 start but then went on a three-game winning streak. After losing last week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the team returned to winning ways against New Orleans. The Saints played without regular starter Derek Carr for the second straight game as the veteran quarterback continues to recover from an oblique injury.

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