When Bo Nix suffered his season ending damage towards the Buffalo Payments within the AFC Divisional Playoffs, the load of the world was positioned on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s shoulders.
The veteran quarterback hadn’t thrown an everyday season go since ending out the ultimate three-game stretch of the 2023 season changing Russell Wilson. However when Nix went down, Stidham was given a gargantuan activity to assist lead the Broncos to victory over the New England Patriots within the AFC Championship Sport.
After an early three-and-out to open the sport, Denver’s offense rebounded with a second drive landing. At that time limit, it appeared like “Stiddy” and his offensive teammates may do sufficient to punch their ticket to the Tremendous Bowl. Alas, their efforts fizzled the rest of the sport and 0 factors had been added to the scoreboard by means of the ultimate three quarters.
Stidham’s misplaced fumble and interception proved to be pricey and the Broncos’ miraculous season would come to a crushing finish with a 10-7 loss. Getting into his fourth yr with the Broncos, the veteran quarterback hopes to be the first backup to Nix for the 2026 season. Will Stidham earn the backup job with the Broncos as soon as once more or will Sam Ehlinger discover a option to unseat him as the first backup to Nix? Let’s focus on.
Jan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) stands subsequent to quarterback Bo Nix (10)) throughout extra time of an AFC Divisional Spherical playoff sport towards the Buffalo Payments at Empower Area at Mile Excessive. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos
Age: 30 | Expertise: Seventh Yr | Faculty: Auburn | Peak: 6’3” | Weight: 215 kilos
2025 Statistics: 17 common season appearances as Nix’s backup. No common season passing statistics. 17 of 31 for 133 yards, 1 landing and 1 interception in AFCCG vs. Patriots. Three sacks taken, one misplaced fumble.
Jarrett Stidham’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
At this juncture, I’d presume Stidham is the favourite to win the backup job. Nonetheless, it definitely isn’t an absolute assure. Whereas many followers had been upset with Stidham’s efficiency within the AFC Championship Sport, there is no such thing as a denying Stidham has extra expertise with and information of Head Coach Sean Payton’s system than Ehlinger.
That in itself is sufficient for me to have him because the early favourite within the competitors. Additionally, I’d enterprise to say that Stidham’s total mechanics and talent as a quarterback are a bit extra superior than Ehlinger’s. Although I’d argue Ehlinger might have a slight edge on the subject of arm energy. However is an edge in a single class sufficient to supplant a longtime NFL backup?
It could even be of observe that Stidham was the primary outdoors free agent signing the Broncos made when Payton took over. He’s a participant Denver’s offensive workers clearly assume excessive off. Each Payton and newly topped Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb have given nothing however reward for Stidham throughout his stint with the Broncos.
My intestine tells me that Stidham will wind up incomes the Broncos’ backup job for his or her ‘26 gridiron campaign for the reasons above. In the final year of his two-year contract signed in 2025, Stidham is scheduled to make roughly $8 million this season. Ehlinger on the other hand, accounts for just $2 million against the salary cap. If the Broncos opt to roll with Ehlinger, the Broncos will gain a decent amount of salary cap space—$4.5 million vs. 3.5 million in dead money.
At the end of the day, I don’t assume wage cap financial savings will have an effect on the workers’s choice at backup quarterback. The one query that can matter to them is “Who gives us the best shot to win each week if Nix isn’t available?” For my part, I’d give the sting to Stiddy.
