Jarrett Stidham’s Big Moment: Can the Broncos’ Backup Rise to the AFC Title Challenge?
Six days. That’s all Jarrett Stidham gets.
Not six weeks of preparation like Nick Foles had in 2017 before leading the Eagles to the NFC Championship. Not even a full season of reps or a handful of recent starts. Just six days to take over the huddle, the game plan, and the hopes of a Denver team still chasing postseason glory.
Stidham, a former fourth-round pick, has just 197 career pass attempts under his belt - and none since a tough outing in Week 18 of the 2023 season. His last meaningful stretch as a starting quarterback?
College, where he started four games back in 2018. So yes, this is a steep hill.
But it’s also the kind of opportunity that can change a career forever.
He’s stepping in for Bo Nix, the rookie who had taken over the reins in Denver - and ironically, the same quarterback who once replaced Stidham at Auburn. Now, with Nix sidelined, it’s Stidham’s turn to write the next chapter. And it starts with an AFC Championship game, at home, against a New England team that knows a thing or two about postseason football.
Why the Broncos Believe in Stidham
Inside the Broncos’ locker room, there’s no shortage of confidence in their new starting quarterback.
“He’s ready,” said head coach Sean Payton. “I said this at the beginning of the season: I feel like we have a backup quarterback who is capable of starting for a number of teams.
I know who feels the same way. Watch out.
Just watch.”
That “who” Payton referenced? Bo Nix himself. After undergoing surgery, Nix posted his support: “I couldn’t be more confident in Jarrett.”
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey echoed the sentiment: “He can ball. He flat-out can play quarterback.
We’ve seen it every single day in practice. We’ve seen it in training camp.
We’ve seen it in the preseason.”
And it’s true - Stidham impressed this past preseason. In limited action, he looked sharp, composed, and in command.
Over two games, he went 30-of-38 for 376 yards, four touchdowns, no picks, and posted a 143.0 quarterback rating. Sure, it was the preseason, but it was also the best he’s looked as a pro.
“I’ve Prepared Every Week Like I’m the Starter”
Stidham met with the media on Wednesday for the first time since the news broke about Nix’s season-ending injury. His message? He’s been ready for this.
“I’ve prepared every single week like I am the starter. Obviously, it just hasn’t been that way.
My preparation hasn’t changed one bit. … At the end of the day, it’s still football.”
That mindset - always staying ready - is what coaches love to see in a backup. And now, it’s being put to the test in the biggest game of his career.
If Stidham can deliver on Sunday, as a 4.5-point underdog at home, it won’t just be a feel-good story. It could go down as one of the more impressive playoff performances by a backup in recent memory.
The stage is massive. The stakes are even bigger.
And while the Broncos haven’t confirmed whether running back J.K. Dobbins will be active, his potential return - after having his 21-day return-to-play window opened - could be a timely boost to the Denver offense.
What’s Next in Buffalo? A Coaching Search That Could Define the Franchise
While Denver prepares for a new quarterback to lead them into the AFC title game, Buffalo is heading into the offseason with more questions than answers.
The Bills officially kicked off their head coaching search on Wednesday, with six names on their initial list of candidates. Owner Terry Pegula made headlines with a press conference that left more questions than clarity, saying he fired Sean McDermott because the team had hit “the proverbial playoff wall.”
The urgency in Buffalo is real. Josh Allen is inching toward his 30s, and the window to win - really win - is now. That’s why the early sense around the league is that Buffalo may lean toward an offensive-minded head coach, someone who can partner with Allen and finally push this team over the postseason hump.
Joe Brady, the current offensive coordinator, interviewed for the job this week. And Brian Daboll - who helped develop Allen during his early years in Buffalo - is set to meet with team brass soon.
The Bills are clearly looking for someone who can lead, but also someone who can elevate Allen. After years of playoff heartbreak, the next hire could be the one that defines this era in Buffalo.
A Press Conference That Raised Eyebrows
Pegula’s press conference didn’t just signal a coaching change - it raised serious concerns about the direction of the franchise.
One of the more puzzling moments? Pegula seemed to deflect blame for the team’s recent draft decisions, including the selection of wide receiver Keon Coleman at No. 33 overall in 2024. Instead of holding general manager Brandon Beane accountable, Pegula pointed the finger at the coaching staff.
Even more confusing was Pegula’s attempt to explain how he separates coaching from roster construction - a question he struggled to answer despite being asked repeatedly.
“That’s a hard question to answer. I don’t know how to answer that.”
And when asked why Beane remains in charge despite the team’s postseason struggles, Pegula pointed to a move made nearly eight years ago.
“I don’t know if anybody knows it in this room, but Josh Allen wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for (Beane).”
For Bills fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow. The team is still built to contend, but the leadership at the top is under scrutiny. With Allen in his prime, every decision - from the next head coach to the front office structure - matters more than ever.
Around the League: Quick Hits
- Key NFC Championship Matchups: Seattle’s defense will be tested at home against a Rams team that’s peaking at the right time. Ted Nguyen breaks down the chess match in the trenches and on the perimeter.
- Tom Brady’s Broadcasting Turnaround: After a rocky start in the booth, Brady has found his rhythm.
He’s approaching the analyst role the same way he approached quarterbacking - with relentless preparation and a deep understanding of the game.
- Brian Flores Staying Put (For Now): The Vikings defensive coordinator has agreed to stay in Minnesota - unless he lands a head coaching job. If he does leave, the Vikings could be in line for compensatory picks.
- Tampa Bay’s New OC: Former Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is heading to the Buccaneers, marking the team’s fifth offensive coordinator in five years. Stability at that position will be key as Tampa looks to build around its next quarterback.
The NFL postseason is heating up, and the storylines aren’t slowing down. From a backup quarterback with a chance to become a hero in Denver, to a franchise-defining coaching search in Buffalo, the next few weeks could reshape the league’s landscape. Buckle up.