From Backup to Center Stage: Jarrett Stidham’s Unexpected Shot at the AFC Title
Jarrett Stidham is about to step into the biggest moment of his NFL career - and it’s happening against the team that once believed he might be the next face of their franchise.
With Bo Nix sidelined after a brutal ankle injury in the final moments of Denver’s dramatic win over the Bills, Stidham has been named the starting quarterback for the Broncos in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. It’s a full-circle moment for the former fourth-round pick, a player who’s quietly waited for his shot, learned from every stop, and now gets a chance to lead a team to the Super Bowl.
But this matchup has layers. Earlier this offseason, the Patriots reportedly had interest in bringing Stidham back to Foxborough to back up rookie Drake Maye.
The offer was real. The opportunity was there.
But Stidham chose to stay in Denver - not for money or promises, but for culture and continuity. He believed in the environment Sean Payton was building and the relationships he’d formed in the Broncos’ quarterback room.
That decision now looks like more than just loyalty - it looks like fate.
A Familiar Foe
Stidham knows the Patriots well. Drafted by New England in 2019 with the 133rd overall pick, he was seen by many - including then-offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels - as a potential successor to Tom Brady.
After Brady left for Tampa, there was a moment when it looked like Stidham might get his shot. But the Patriots brought in Cam Newton, and Stidham never quite climbed out of the backup role.
When McDaniels took the head coaching job in Las Vegas, he brought Stidham with him. And while his starts were limited, one in particular stood out - a gutsy performance against the 49ers where he threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns.
It wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It was a glimpse of what Stidham could do when given the reins.
Sean Payton’s Quiet Confidence
When Sean Payton took over in Denver, his first signing wasn’t a splashy free agent or a headline-grabbing trade - it was Jarrett Stidham. Payton saw something in him.
He’d evaluated him back when he was with the Saints and kept tabs on how McDaniels coached and trusted him. That trust translated into action.
Stidham was brought in as insurance behind Russell Wilson, and when the Wilson experiment fizzled, Stidham stepped in to start the final two games of the 2023 season.
Fast forward to this past offseason: Stidham hit free agency again, and again, he was a priority for Denver. Despite outside interest - including from the Patriots - he chose to stay.
He impressed during training camp and preseason, even outshining the first-team offense at times while working with the second unit. Though Bo Nix ultimately won the starting job, Stidham remained a steady presence - a mentor, a competitor, and someone the coaching staff never stopped believing in.
Now, that belief is being put to the test.
Ready for the Moment
Payton hasn’t been shy about his confidence in Stidham. He’s been praising him since the day he signed, and that praise hasn’t wavered. When asked why he believes Stidham is ready for this moment, Payton pointed to the years of preparation behind the scenes - the daily grind, the attention to detail, the way Stidham has quietly gone about his business.
“It started with our evaluation in New Orleans of him,” Payton said. “I know how he was coached in New England.
I know exactly how he was coached in New England. Then I know how McDaniels felt about him when he brought him from New England to Vegas.
Then I know reports on how he played, and then we saw him play real time. But ultimately... it’s our three years here.
Watching him day-in and day-out that you guys don’t have access to. He will be ready to go and ready for the moment.”
This isn’t just coach-speak. Payton’s belief in Stidham has been consistent - from bringing him in as “his guy” during the Wilson era, to starting him in meaningful games, to trusting him as the backup and mentor to Bo Nix. Now, that trust becomes the foundation of Denver’s AFC Championship hopes.
The Stakes and the Storyline
It’s hard to script a better narrative. A quarterback once seen as Brady’s heir returns to face the team that drafted him, after turning down their offer to come back.
He’s stepping in for an injured rookie, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. There’s history, redemption, and opportunity all wrapped into one.
But this isn’t just a feel-good story - this is a real shot for Stidham to prove he belongs. He’s got the arm, the poise, and now the platform.
And while he hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass since the end of the 2023 season, he knows the offense cold. The Broncos believe in his command, his composure, and his ability to lead.
Come Sunday, Jarrett Stidham won’t just be filling in - he’ll be taking center stage, with everything on the line.