{"id":16051,"date":"2026-01-24T13:06:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T13:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/jarrett-stidham-broncos-qb\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T13:06:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T13:06:04","slug":"jarrett-stidham-broncos-qb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/jarrett-stidham-broncos-qb\/","title":{"rendered":"He hasn&#8217;t thrown a pass since 2023. Now his arm could send a team to the Super Bowl"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>Jarrett Stidham, who has not attempted a regular-season pass since 2023, was thrust into the Denver Broncos&#8217; starting role after Bo Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle following the overtime playoff win over the Buffalo Bills. The injury ended Nix\u2019s season and left the No. 1 AFC-seeded Broncos with roughly a week to prepare Stidham for the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots. Stidham has started only four games across seven NFL seasons, yet his performance on Sunday will determine whether Denver advances to the Super Bowl. The sudden shift has drawn comparisons to notable backups who stepped into title runs, and it has focused national attention on preparation, roster construction and coaching adaptability.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Bo Nix suffered a fractured bone in his right ankle after Denver\u2019s overtime playoff victory over Buffalo; team doctors ruled his season over, prompting the quarterback change.<\/li>\n<li>Jarrett Stidham \u2014 Denver\u2019s backup \u2014 was named the starter immediately by coach Sean Payton and has about a week to prepare for the AFC championship matchup versus New England.<\/li>\n<li>Across seven NFL seasons, Stidham has started four games, completing 62.5% of his passes with an average of 270 passing yards per start, six touchdowns and four interceptions in those starts.<\/li>\n<li>The Broncos entered the postseason as the AFC\u2019s No. 1 seed, built on defense, an experienced offensive line and Bo Nix\u2019s game management; that structure will frame Stidham\u2019s game plan.<\/li>\n<li>Historical parallels include Jeff Hostetler\u2019s 1990 run with the New York Giants and Nick Foles\u2019 2017 Eagles playoff surge \u2014 backups who delivered deep postseason runs under veteran coaching.<\/li>\n<li>Sean Payton has consulted Bill Parcells and signaled confidence in Stidham\u2019s readiness, citing his time in systems run by top offensive minds (New England\u2019s and Sean Payton\u2019s staffs).<\/li>\n<li>Stidham\u2019s intangible role as a locker-room \u201cvibes\u201d player and his experience learning behind Tom Brady and other veterans are being highlighted as preparation advantages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Broncos built their season around a defense that ranked among the NFL\u2019s better units, a sturdy offensive line and the steadiness of Bo Nix at quarterback. Nix led Denver through the regular season and into the playoffs, where the team secured an overtime win against the Buffalo Bills before his injury. The franchise had positioned itself as the AFC\u2019s top seed, which amplifies the stakes when a starter goes down late in the postseason.<\/p>\n<p>Jarrett Stidham\u2019s NFL path has been largely as a reserve. Drafted in the fourth round in 2019 by the New England Patriots out of Auburn, Stidham spent his rookie year alongside Tom Brady. He later followed coach Josh McDaniels to Las Vegas and signed with Sean Payton\u2019s Broncos unit as a free agent. Across those stops, Stidham has seen limited regular-season action despite working in offensive systems regarded as among the league\u2019s most sophisticated.<\/p>\n<p>The phenomenon of a reserve stepping into a championship run is rare but not unprecedented. In 1990, Jeff Hostetler replaced an injured Phil Simms and led the Giants through five playoff games to a Super Bowl title. In 2017, Nick Foles famously led the Philadelphia Eagles from backup to Super Bowl winner. Those historical cases are now a reference point for Denver, its coaches and fans as they evaluate Stidham\u2019s prospects.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>After the Broncos\u2019 playoff victory, team medical staff took X-rays of Bo Nix\u2019s right ankle; the imaging confirmed a fracture and all parties agreed his season was over. Jarrett Stidham, who had been nearby, returned from the locker room to find the diagnosis complete and the coaching staff formulating contingency plans. Sean Payton announced Stidham as the starter at his postgame press conference and immediately began preparing a tailored plan for the AFC championship.<\/p>\n<p>Stidham\u2019s preparation window is short but focused. Denver\u2019s offensive scheme will likely emphasize protection, conservative reads and leveraging the run game and play-action to shorten his decision-making load. Payton has described Stidham as someone capable of starting for multiple teams and has leaned on input from veteran voices, including consultations with Bill Parcells, to shape the approach.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the week, Stidham has presented a calm public posture, stressing routine, self-identity and trust in teammates. Coaches and teammates have highlighted his experience learning from Brady and other veterans, plus his familiarity with systems installed by McDaniels and Payton. Still, moving from backup snaps to a championship-stage start tests timing, communication with the first-team offense and situational rapport under intense scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p>Special teams, situational play-calling and in-game adjustments will become focal points: Denver\u2019s play-calls may be simplified early to reduce the number of high-variance throws, while the defense and special teams may be asked to create advantageous field position. How effectively Stidham can manage two-minute situations, third-down calls and red-zone execution will shape the Broncos\u2019 path to the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Short-term, Denver\u2019s chances hinge on coaching design and play-calling that protect a quarterback with limited starting reps. With only four career starts and intermittent game rhythm, Stidham\u2019s learning curve is steep; Payton\u2019s task is to convert practice reps into a game plan that minimizes guesswork and leverages Denver\u2019s strengths. Conservative, high-efficiency play \u2014 including quick passing, screens and designed rollouts \u2014 can mitigate risk while allowing Stidham to use his athleticism.<\/p>\n<p>From a personnel perspective, this moment highlights the value of experienced backups. Teams that invest in competent reserve quarterbacks increase resiliency in playoff scenarios. Stidham\u2019s long tenure as a backup in high-level systems \u2014 including time with Tom Brady and under Josh McDaniels \u2014 lends credibility to the idea that game preparation and mental reps can substitute partially for live-game repetitions.<\/p>\n<p>Strategically, New England will try to exploit any timing and communication lapses while neutralizing Denver\u2019s rushing attack and pressuring the quarterback. The Patriots\u2019 game plan will likely emphasize disguise and pressure packages intended to force quick decisions. If Stidham can sustain early composure and convert short-yardage situations, Denver preserves an opening for play-action and deeper shots later in the game.<\/p>\n<p>Longer-term, the result will influence offseason evaluations. A strong performance by Stidham undercuts the urgency to acquire a high-priced starter; a poor outing will increase pressure on Denver\u2019s front office to pursue a clearer long-term answer. For Stidham personally, success would mirror rare backup-to-championship narratives and could alter his market value in free agency or his role within Denver\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Player<\/th>\n<th>Career Starts (to date)<\/th>\n<th>Completion % (in starts)<\/th>\n<th>Yards per start<\/th>\n<th>TD \/ INT (in starts)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Jarrett Stidham<\/td>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>62.5%<\/td>\n<td>270<\/td>\n<td>6 \/ 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Jeff Hostetler (1990)<\/td>\n<td>5 (post-injury)<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table summarizes Stidham\u2019s limited starting sample and contrasts the situation with Jeff Hostetler\u2019s five-game run to a Super Bowl in 1990. While raw stat lines are informative, small-sample performance and era differences mean comparisons are directional rather than predictive. Coaching, play-calling and surrounding talent typically explain more variance in single-game outcomes than a backup\u2019s career totals.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Broncos coach Sean Payton publicly expressed confidence in his backup within hours of Nix\u2019s diagnosis, framing the decision as both pragmatic and trust-based.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Stiddy is ready to go. I feel like I\u2019ve got a [backup quarterback] that\u2019s capable of starting for a handful \u2014 a number of teams.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Sean Payton, Denver Broncos (head coach)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Former Giants backup Jeff Hostetler, who replaced an injured Phil Simms and led New York to a Super Bowl win in the 1990 season, compared his own experience to Stidham\u2019s and emphasized the mental challenge of the role.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;As a backup, you\u2019re judged right away on a few plays\u2026You\u2019ve always got to be prepared, and you\u2019ve got to be mentally tough.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Jeff Hostetler (former NFL quarterback)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Stidham, who has earned a reputation as a positive locker-room presence, described his approach in measured terms ahead of the big game.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019m just going to go out there and play and be myself. I know how I can play.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Jarrett Stidham (Denver Broncos quarterback)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: The backup quarterback role in postseason football<\/summary>\n<p>Backup quarterbacks typically prepare by running the starter\u2019s scout-team reps, studying opponent tendencies and maintaining a short, consistent pre-game routine. In playoff contexts, coaching staffs often alter playbooks to simplify progressions and prioritize ball security. Historical instances show that successful transitions depend on alignment between play-calling, the offensive line\u2019s protection and the backup\u2019s familiarity with starters\u2019 personnel. Teams with experienced coaching staffs tend to manage these transitions more effectively, and an emphasis on short, high-percentage throws reduces turnover risk.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether Bo Nix\u2019s fracture will heal in time for any future offseason procedures or complications has not been publicly detailed by the Broncos\u2019 medical staff.<\/li>\n<li>Longer-term plans for Denver\u2019s quarterback depth chart \u2014 including Stidham\u2019s role beyond this game \u2014 remain subject to front-office decisions and were not finalized at publication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The Broncos face a pivotal test of organizational depth: a backup quarterback with limited recent game experience now stands between the franchise and a trip to the Super Bowl. Denver\u2019s best short-term option is a conservative, evidence-based game plan that reduces turnover risk while using the team\u2019s defensive and rushing strengths to control the clock.<\/p>\n<p>For Jarrett Stidham, the AFC championship is an unusually large audition. Success would join him with a small group of backups who seized postseason opportunity; failure would prompt immediate offseason debate over quarterback stability. Either way, the matchup will be judged for what it reveals about preparation, coaching adaptability and roster construction in high-stakes football.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/sports\/nfl\/jarrett-stidham-denver-broncos-afc-championship-rcna255454\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBC News (national news outlet)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverbroncos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Denver Broncos (official team site)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NFL (official league site; injury reports &#038; game information)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pro-Football-Reference (sports statistics &#038; historical records)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead Jarrett Stidham, who has not attempted a regular-season pass since 2023, was thrust into the Denver Broncos&#8217; starting role after Bo Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle following the overtime playoff win over the Buffalo Bills. The injury ended Nix\u2019s season and left the No. 1 AFC-seeded Broncos with roughly a week &#8230; <a title=\"He hasn&#8217;t thrown a pass since 2023. Now his arm could send a team to the Super Bowl\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/jarrett-stidham-broncos-qb\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about He hasn&#8217;t thrown a pass since 2023. Now his arm could send a team to the Super Bowl\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16049,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Stidham's shot: From 2023 bench to AFC title | The Sports Desk","rank_math_description":"Jarrett Stidham, who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since 2023, replaces injured Bo Nix as the Broncos' starter in the AFC championship \u2014 an instant test with Super Bowl stakes.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Jarrett Stidham,Broncos,backup quarterback,AFC championship,Bo Nix","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16051\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}