Denver Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham will make his first start since the final two games of the 2023 season when he takes the field Sunday in the AFC Championship Game in Denver. The start follows Bo Nix’s fractured right ankle, sustained on the game-winning drive in Saturday’s 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills, and Nix’s subsequent surgery in Alabama. Coaches and players say the team has tried to preserve normal routines while adjusting the game plan to fit Stidham’s strengths. The Broncos remain focused on reaching the Super Bowl, their first AFC title game appearance since the 2015 season.
Key Takeaways
- Jarrett Stidham, 29, will start Sunday’s AFC Championship Game for the Denver Broncos after Bo Nix fractured his right ankle on January 18, 2026.
- Stidham is in his third season with Denver and last started the final two games of 2023 when he replaced a benched Russell Wilson.
- This season Stidham has played minimally — four snaps in Week 8 during Denver’s 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
- Head coach Sean Payton confirmed the offense will be adjusted to Stidham’s style but expressed confidence in his readiness.
- The Broncos have not appeared in an AFC Championship Game since the 2015 title game en route to Super Bowl 50.
- Teammates, including cornerback Pat Surtain II, publicly voiced confidence in Stidham’s composure and leadership heading into Sunday.
Background
The Broncos’ sudden quarterback change began at the end of the team’s 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, when Bo Nix fractured his right ankle on the decisive drive. Nix had been Denver’s starter through the postseason run, and the injury forced the organization to turn to its veteran backup in the final week before the conference title game. Stidham, originally a 2019 draft pick of the New England Patriots, signed a two-year deal to return to Denver in the offseason despite interest from New England; he has served primarily as a veteran reserve and locker-room presence this year.
Denver enters the AFC Championship with a roster that spent the season building around its starting quarterback and a coaching staff led by Sean Payton that has managed multiple high-pressure scenarios. The Broncos’ last trip to the AFC title game came in the 2015 season, when they advanced to and won Super Bowl 50; that historical context adds weight to Sunday’s matchup. The team has emphasized continuity in preparation, aiming to limit disruption despite the sudden roster change and the emotional swing from the Buffalo victory to the injury to Nix.
Main Event
Stidham has kept a measured public profile this week and, by his account, tried to treat the days leading to the AFC Championship like any other preparation week. He described a low-key Monday, including a family trip to Target, and said he was largely unrecognized while out with his children—a small moment Denver framed as a piece of normalcy amid the playoff spotlight. Coaching staff adjusted the game plan to accommodate differences in play style between Nix and Stidham; Payton emphasized the plan will lean on Stidham’s strengths and calm demeanor rather than forcing a wholesale schematic change.
Teammates have sounded publicly supportive: veteran cornerback Pat Surtain II praised Stidham’s confidence and presence, while Payton called Stidham one of the top 32 quarterbacks in the league in terms of readiness. Stidham has downplayed the personal stakes, repeatedly saying his focus is on executing his assignments and helping teammates on each play over the coming days. Social media attention has trended toward lighthearted memes celebrating Stidham, including a repurposed LeBron James image that fans have adapted with the hashtag “#StiddyParty,” a cultural note the quarterback acknowledged but said he hasn’t been active on social platforms recently.
Denver also provided updates on Bo Nix: Payton said Nix’s surgery in Alabama on Tuesday went well and the team expects to have him return to Denver as soon as medical clearance allows. The organization reiterated that injured players remain part of the team’s playoff identity and that Nix will be welcomed back into the group while Stidham prepares to lead the offense on Sunday.
Analysis & Implications
The decision to start Stidham places a premium on quick assimilation and game-management skills in a high-leverage matchup against the New England Patriots. Stidham’s most recent extended starting experience came at the end of 2023, so the Broncos must balance play-calling conservatism with opportunities to exploit matchup advantages. Payton’s comments suggest the staff will tailor protections, play tempo and route concepts to reduce risk while keeping the pressure on New England’s defense.
From a roster-construction perspective, the outing will affect Stidham’s standing and market value. A strong performance in an AFC Championship could raise his profile for future contract discussions; conversely, mistakes under playoff intensity could reinforce the perception of him as a stopgap. The team reportedly re-signed him this offseason to provide a veteran presence, and Sunday’s result will be a notable addition to his résumé whether the Broncos advance or fall short.
For Denver’s broader aspirations, the quarterback switch tests the roster’s depth and locker-room cohesion. The defense and special teams take on an amplified role when an offense has an untested starter under center. Opposing coordinators will look to create pressure through disguise and rush lanes, forcing Stidham into quicker reads than he might prefer. How effectively the Broncos adapt—particularly in protection calls and pre-snap communication—will materially influence the game’s outcome and Denver’s Super Bowl chances.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Jarrett Stidham | Broncos (team) |
|---|---|---|
| Last regular-season starts | Final two games of 2023 season | — |
| 2025 season snaps | 4 snaps (Week 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 44-24) | — |
| Previous AFC Championship | — | 2015 (advanced to Super Bowl 50) |
The table highlights Stidham’s sparse on-field work this season versus his 2023 starting experience and situates Sunday’s game within Denver’s broader postseason history. Given the limited recent game reps, play-calling and quick decision-making will be factors; the Broncos’ defensive pedigree and special-teams play could offset some offensive uncertainty if the unit performs to season norms.
Reactions & Quotes
Teammates expressed confidence in Stidham’s temperament and leadership after the injury to Nix. Cornerback Pat Surtain II pointed to a measurable calm and competitive edge that, teammates say, helps stabilize the huddle.
“He has got a type of mojo with him, a type of confidence with him, that you rarely see.”
Pat Surtain II, Broncos cornerback
Coach Sean Payton framed the choice as one of fit and readiness rather than a drop in expected performance, stressing that the staff will modify the plan to match Stidham’s strengths while maintaining an aggressive posture.
“He’s going to rip it, and that’ll be our approach. He’s got this calm demeanor that suits him well.”
Sean Payton, Broncos head coach
Stidham himself deflected personal acclaim and emphasized gratitude toward Nix and a focus on the team assignment for each play in the coming days.
“We wouldn’t be in this position without Bo… I’m not focused on anything but Sunday and my job on each and every play.”
Jarrett Stidham, Broncos quarterback
Unconfirmed
- Exact timeline for Bo Nix’s full recovery and return to on-field practice remains unspecified beyond the confirmation that his surgery went well.
- The precise number of snaps Stidham will be asked to take in the first half and how many tailored plays will be added to his package for Sunday has not been publicly disclosed.
- The full reach and impact of the “#StiddyParty” social media meme on national engagement is anecdotal and not quantified by the team.
Bottom Line
The Broncos enter Sunday’s AFC Championship with a sudden but measured change at quarterback. Stidham’s experience in 2023 and his veteran presence give Denver a reliable option, but the lack of recent extended game reps raises questions about in-game tempo and high-pressure decision-making. Coach Sean Payton and the offensive staff have signaled adjustments to protect and accentuate Stidham’s strengths, while teammates publicly backed their new starter’s composure.
How Denver balances conservative play-calling with the need to score against the Patriots will likely determine the game’s narrative and, for Stidham personally, the short-term trajectory of his NFL profile. Regardless of the outcome, the team’s insistence on routine and focus underscores a broader organizational aim: preserve cohesion and give the roster the best chance to reach the Super Bowl.
Sources
- ESPN (sports journalism report)
- Denver Broncos (team official news)