Bo Nix became the 11th player in NFL history to throw at least 42 passes in his first game on Sunday.

Was this coach Sean Payton’s plan for the former Pinson Valley High School and Auburn star player’s debut as the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback?

“No way,” said Payton.

The Broncos opened the 2024 season with a 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but Payton didn’t hand the loss to the rookie QB, who secured the job in competition with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson after being traded from Oregon to Denver with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft on April 25.

“He gave us a chance,” Payton said. “Our defense was average at best. … At one point in the game, I came to the bench and talked to the receivers and said, ‘Let’s go.’ I don’t know how many drops we had, but, man, let’s help this guy. …

“I thought he was there. I never felt like it was too big or confusing. He was sharp. I thought he even extended some plays with his feet. We’ll watch the video again, but we need to be better around him.”

Nix completed 26 of 42 passes for 138 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He was Denver’s leading runner with five runs for 35 yards and his first NFL touchdown.

The Broncos’ other ball carriers managed a total of 64 yards on 20 rushing attempts, and that performance factored into Nix’s 42 passes, Payton said.

“We need to be more effective running,” Payton said. “If you take away his rushing yards, I think we were at about 60 yards in the running game while they managed 140, so not nearly good enough. …

“It’s going to be difficult to play quarterback when that’s the best we can do running the ball.”

Denver led 13-9 at halftime, thanks to three field goals by Will Lutz and two safeties. But the lead could have been even bigger: The Broncos’ first possession began after an interception at the Seattle 20-yard line, and a second-quarter series began after a botched punt at the Seahawks’ 9-yard line. But Lutz scored the points in both cases.

Nix was intercepted at Seattle’s 1-yard line in the second quarter and at the Seahawks’ 38-yard line in the fourth quarter.

After his second interception, Nix led Denver’s only touchdown drive. In the seven-play, 54-yard series, Nix ran for 23 yards on the first snap, completed four consecutive passes and capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.

This brought the Broncos within six points, but Seattle ran out of time in their victory.

“It was definitely challenging to say the least,” said Nix, who was on the field for seven three-and-outs. “I thought they had a really good defense. I thought they executed their scheme well. I thought they focused on the ball. It was difficult to make some explosive plays, and I think when you’re having a hard time making explosive plays and you’re having a hard time sustaining drives, they can put you in third-and-long or third-and-tough situations.

“Overall, I think that despite our poor performance, we were able to ruin our chances of winning at the end.”