The Denver Broncos are heading into the AFC Championship Game with a dramatic twist no one saw coming: their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, is out with a season-ending ankle injury. And just like that, the weight of a Super Bowl run now rests on the shoulders of backup Jarrett Stidham. It's a tough break for a team that found its rhythm late in the season - and it's the kind of storyline that sends shockwaves through the league.
But amidst the uncertainty, a familiar face from NFL lore managed to bring a little levity to the moment. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger - yes, that Big Ben - chimed in on the situation during a recent episode of his Footbahlin podcast. And while he made it crystal clear he's not pulling a Brett Favre-style comeback, he couldn’t resist having some fun with the idea.
“This is not a foreshadowing - I’m not going to Denver,” Roethlisberger said, laughing off the idea of donning a Broncos jersey. “I would go if I could wear number 7, but John Elway retired it.”
It was a tongue-in-cheek moment, but one that resonated because of who it came from. Roethlisberger isn’t just any retired quarterback - he’s a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl champ, and one of the defining players of his era.
He hung up his cleats after the 2021 season, wrapping up an 18-year career spent entirely in Pittsburgh. And even as his mobility waned in later years, the arm talent and leadership never fully faded.
In his final season, he still threw for over 3,700 yards. The year before that?
33 touchdowns and an AFC North title.
At 43, and four years removed from his last NFL snap, there’s no real scenario where Roethlisberger suits up again - especially not for a team that already has its eyes on the future. But in a league where we’ve seen quarterbacks like Philip Rivers flirt with late-stage comebacks, it’s easy to see why the idea, however far-fetched, sparked some curiosity.
Still, for the Broncos, the reality is clear: this is Jarrett Stidham’s show now.
Denver isn’t here by accident. Their defense has been a force all season, setting the tone and keeping them in games while the offense found its footing.
Nix, in just his second NFL season, was a big part of that formula - throwing for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He brought stability to a position that’s been anything but for Denver in recent years, and his poise helped guide the team into legitimate contention.
Big Ben on Playing for the Broncos on Sunday:
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) January 21, 2026
“This is not a foreshadowing I’m not going to Denver I know there’s been alot of rumors out there. I would go if I could wear number 7 but John Elway retired it.” 😂😂#steelers
🎥 Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger pic.twitter.com/QZmeYnwlJT
Now, that foundation has to support a new quarterback under the brightest of lights. Stidham steps into the biggest moment of his career, with a Super Bowl berth on the line and the New England Patriots - fresh off a 16-3 campaign - standing in the way.
It’s a tall order. But this is the NFL postseason, where legends are made, and backups can become heroes in a heartbeat. Denver’s defense is still elite, the supporting cast is strong, and Stidham doesn’t need to be Superman - he just needs to be steady.
And who knows? Maybe somewhere, Big Ben will be watching, sipping a beer, and cracking another joke about that number 7 jersey.