ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Just over 12 hours after Sean Payton had been told starting quarterback Bo Nix would miss the remainder of the postseason because of a fractured right ankle, the Denver Broncos‘ coach said Sunday morning that he has complete confidence in backup Jarrett Stidham.
Stidham will start the AFC Championship Game next Sunday for the Broncos and Payton was quick to say the 29-year-old quarterback is ready for his first postseason game.
“I know how he was coached in New England, I know exactly how he was coached in New England,” Payton said. “And then I know how [current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh] McDaniels felt about him … but ultimately … it’s our three years here, our three years watching him day in and day out. He will be ready to go.”
Stidham was signed by the Broncos as a free agent in 2023, Payton’s first season as the coach. The veteran has appeared in one game this season with four snaps, including a kneel-down to end the Broncos’ 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8.
Stidham appeared in three games in the 2024 season, Nix’s rookie year, but did not attempt a pass. His last significant playing time came in 2023 when he started the final two games of the season after Payton had benched Russell Wilson. Stidham threw two touchdowns and an interception in those two games, including a 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.
Sam Ehlinger, who has spent most of this season on the Broncos’ practice squad before he was signed to the roster last week, will be the team’s backup.
On Sunday, Payton called the notion that the starting and backup quarterbacks split practice reps during the regular season “mythical,” but said Stidham has stayed sharp because he has faced the Broncos’ starting defense every day in practice as the defensive game plan was installed each week.
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