From Backup to the Big Stage: Jarrett Stidham’s Unexpected Playoff Moment
LAS VEGAS - For the first time in what feels like forever, the Raiders are at the center of the AFC Championship conversation - and not just as spectators. The chatter is loud, and it’s focused on one position: quarterback.
But here’s the twist - it’s not just about who they might take. It’s also about who used to wear silver and black.
Let’s start with the future. The Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and all signs point to them selecting Indiana’s Francisco Mendoza.
The Heisman winner just led the Hoosiers to a national title, and his stock couldn’t be higher. He’s the kind of quarterback who can change the trajectory of a franchise - and the Raiders are in need of just that.
But while Raiders fans are dreaming about what Mendoza could bring, another former Raider is suddenly in the playoff spotlight - and he’s wearing orange and blue.
Jarrett Stidham, once a backup in Las Vegas, is now the next man up in Denver. The Broncos’ playoff hopes took a hit last week when Bo Nix scrambled left and didn’t get up the same way.
Head coach Sean Payton confirmed after the game that Nix had fractured a bone in his right ankle. Just like that, his postseason is over.
Enter Stidham.
And he didn’t waste any time making his presence felt. On his first drive, he connected with Courtland Sutton for a touchdown, giving Denver an early 7-0 lead. Not bad for a guy who hadn’t started a game since 2023 - and even then, it was a limited sample size.
That season, Stidham stepped in for the Broncos and showed flashes. Before that, he got his first real NFL action with the Raiders after Derek Carr was benched late in the 2022 season.
In those starts, Stidham completed 64% of his passes with four touchdowns and three picks. Solid numbers, especially considering the circumstances.
Now, he’s set for his first career playoff start - and it’s against the New England Patriots, one of the teams that helped shape his NFL journey.
Drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round back in 2019, Stidham was brought in to sit behind Tom Brady. That’s not a small ask.
Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator in New England at the time and later brought Stidham with him to Las Vegas to help install his system. Now McDaniels is back with the Patriots, and you can bet they’re picking Stidham’s brain this week.
It’s a full-circle moment - and a fascinating one.
When Sean Payton signed Stidham in Denver, it wasn’t just to fill out a depth chart. He was brought in to back up Russell Wilson and was paid like one of the top reserve quarterbacks in the league. That tells you something about how Payton viewed his potential.
And here’s the thing: Stidham might not be that steep of a drop-off from Nix. Statistically, Nix ranked 13th in PFF grade, 15th in total QBR, and 26th in passer rating.
Solid, but not elite. Stidham, with his experience and familiarity with pressure situations, could keep the Broncos’ offense on track - especially with the weapons around him and a defense that’s been playing inspired football.
So while the Raiders look ahead to a new era with a potential franchise quarterback, one of their former signal-callers is stepping into the spotlight with everything on the line.
The road to the Super Bowl just got a lot more interesting.