ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the Broncos nearly pulled off an upset of the undefeated Chiefs, rookie quarterback Bo Nix caught the attention of the signal caller on the opposite sideline.

When Nix and Patrick Mahomes met at midfield, cameras picked up the two-time MVP telling Nix he played well and that they have "got a lot of these" matchups to look forward to in the years to come.

Mahomes also expressed a similar sentiment to Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton when the two spoke briefly after the game.

"[He] just turned to me and said, 'You got one,'" Payton relayed Wednesday. "… That's something coming from him."

Nix said "that kind of stuff is awesome" to hear from a player of Mahomes' caliber, and he said it's an indication that he's moving in the correct direction.

"That's a fortunate part of playing the game and competing against these guys that have been doing it on the stage for so long," Nix said. "It's an honor, but at the same time, those are the games that you have to continue to play and continue to compete in and ultimately win. You get guys like that [and] their respect. Then, when you get their respect, it's just kind of a special thing for you. It's not something to be complacent about, but definitely you feel like you're on the right track and you're doing the right things."

Payton said he continues to see his rookie quarterback take steps, and a third-down throw to Courtland Sutton late in the game was just one moment in an impressive performance.

"There will be some more adversity, but there is a poise with him," Payton said. "I think his teammates in the huddle talk about it. … We continue to look at the things that he does well and try to feature those things as he progresses into some of the things that he's going to need to do. Yeah, we're really encouraged."

Nix completed 22-of-30 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos' two-point loss to the Chiefs. He also completed 9-of-10 passes on third down for six first downs, 83 yards, two touchdowns and a 140.8 passer rating. His 115.3 passer rating for the game was the highest mark of his career on the road.

"The way that he handled that game, going into hostile territory, playing against the defending champs, playing against a really good defense, a really good defensive coordinator, I think that he handled the game really well," wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. "For a young guy, especially a rookie, to go into Arrowhead and manage the game that way that he did and manage that two-minute drill the way that he did, that's all you can ask. He went in there [and] he did what he's supposed to do. [He] gave us a chance to go down and get points to win the game. He handled it really well. ... He's continuing to show signs. Each week, I tell you guys that he shows signs of the maturity level and the promise that's there, and I think that that's what he showed in that game. He did a really good job of managing it. That's all you can really ask for."

SIMMONS RETURNS

After eight seasons in Denver, Justin Simmons will make his return to Empower Field at Mile High as a member of the Falcons.

"It'll be fun," Sutton said. "Justin's my guy. I'm obviously sad that we don't get to share a locker room anymore, but [I'm] happy that he found another home. [I'm] happy that the Falcons knew the value that they were getting with signing him. Watching him on film, he's still Justin Simmons. He's the guy that goes out there and makes plays. I'm sure that he gives a lot of the guys in front of him confidence knowing that he's back there because he's such a smart player. Such a reliable player. Really good tackler. Really good player at finding the ball. It's going to be fun getting to go against him. Practicing against him for years is one thing, but to get live bullets is going to be fun. I jokingly told him, 'Hey bro, if you see me coming across the middle, just remember we're friends.' It'll be fun getting to go against him and having that really good battle on Sunday."

Asked to reflect on the team's choice to release Simmons, Payton said it's "always difficult" to move on from a veteran player.

"Those are never easy decisions," Payton said.

'I'M PROUD TO CALL HIM A TEAMMATE'

In the aftermath of a difficult moment for second-year center Alex Forsyth, a slew of Broncos offensive players have spoken up. Quinn Meinerz and Garett Bolles were among the players Wednesday to detail the type of player and teammate Forsyth is, but there was perhaps no more impassioned defense than the one Nix delivered. Nix and Forsyth were also college teammates, and the rookie captain built up his teammate as he faces no shortage of online criticism.

"Nobody prepares like Alex Forsyth prepares," Nix said. "Nobody goes through the moments throughout the week and gets every set and every look that he possibly can [to] go out there and put his team in the best possible spot. Unfortunately, it's the game we play, and all of our mistakes are on national TV and everyone sees them. There is a lot of negative talk when somebody messes up, but I think it should be known how valuable he is to our team [and] how much he is respected throughout our locker room. It really ticks me off that people can say those things about him and not even see how he works, or how he responds or how he plays. I have no doubt that Alex Forsyth's going to respond probably better than anybody in that situation. He cares more than anybody would in that situation, and I know that every single [player on] our team, every single guy in our locker room believes in him to move on and respond.

"What happened to him sucks. It really does. It's happened to many of us, and you just have to, unfortunately, get over it. You have to find ways to move past it. He's mentally tough. He's been through tougher life moments than probably any of us. So he knows how to handle adversity. I'm excited to see him grow and respond through this. I can't imagine as much as he works throughout a week, how much more he's going to put on himself. I respect him greatly. I hate that he's having to go through all this, but sometimes it's part of the game, and it is what we signed up for.

"I'm happy to be on his team. I'm proud to call him a teammate, and I know he's going to respond really well."