On Jan. 17, the Denver Broncos added another chapter to franchise history. Fans were elated. They had made it to the AFC championship game after a 33-30 overtime win against fellow AFC frontrunners, the Buffalo Bills. Denver quarterback Bo Nix played an incredible game, throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. This game capped off a season that cemented the Broncos as NFL frontrunners for years to come.
Then the news broke.
Rumors of an injury sustained by Nix began spreading after the game like ripples over a pond. According to reports, he broke a bone in his ankle on the final kneel down of the game, just moments before Denver kicked the game-winning field goal. This play, designed to be inconsequential, resulted in unimaginable consequences. His season was over. An injury of that magnitude at that point in the season was devastating. But Denver had hope. They turned to Jarrett Stidham to ensure that these ripples wouldn’t turn into the crashing waves that would sink the Broncos’ season.
Jarrett Stidham is a veteran backup quarterback. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, he was viewed as a potential successor to the great Tom Brady, the starting quarterback for the Patriots at the time. Three years later, Brady was long gone, and Stidham was traded to the Raiders. After a year in Vegas, he landed in Denver and later signed a two-year extension in 2025. He made a few meaningful appearances, only starting four games, winning one, and posting unremarkable (at best) numbers.
After the initial shock wore off, Broncos fans grew cautiously optimistic in their chances as Stidham prepared to make his first career postseason start. Facing the team that drafted him, the Patriots, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
How could this be?
Rarely in the NFL do fans feel any sense of confidence in their backup quarterbacks; most are happy to never see them take the field. However, Stidham projects a sense of confidence both on and off the gridiron. He stands at an imposing 6 feet and 3 inches and plays a physical brand of football, especially for a quarterback. During the week leading up to the game, he gracefully stepped through press conferences with reporters, gave well-developed, thoughtful answers and even joked around with a few of them for their lack of attention. His familiarity with Denver and comfort with coach Sean Payton weren’t just talking points; they were on display in his character and body language.
One topic from his first press conference sticks out as a key contributor to his grace and poise.
“I’ve prepared the same every single week like I am the starter,” said Stidham. “My preparation hasn’t changed one bit.”
Backup quarterbacks in the NFL know the importance of staying ready; given the chance, they could jump into the game at any time. At times, these one-off appearances carry lasting consequences, such as Tom Brady jumping in for Drew Bledsoe in 2001, going on to win seven Super Bowls. Or Nick Foles leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl after Carson Wentz tore his ACL in 2017. Stidham acknowledged situations like this, emphasizing the importance of his team and his comfort in the offense, which in turn builds confidence for both his teammates and fans. He understands the nature of his job, which can feel like jumping onto a sinking ship, and trusts that his three-year-long preparation can speak for itself.
The Broncos lost to the Patriots in a snowy 10-7 game full of mishaps and errors. Missed opportunities, blocked kicks, and an inability to capitalize defined the snowy afternoon in Denver. As the weather deteriorated, so did Stidham’s play, and the Broncos ended up just short of a Super Bowl berth. However, this was not Jarrett Stidham’s last opportunity. He’ll be given another chance, with Denver or somewhere else, and when his number is called, he’ll be ready.
