From Foxborough to the Front Lines: Jarrett Stidham’s Unexpected Road Back to the Patriots
For over two decades, the New England Patriots were the NFL’s gold standard-six Super Bowl wins, 17 AFC East titles, and a dynasty powered by the unshakable duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. But as every NFL fan knows, even the greatest runs eventually meet the clock.
And while Brady defied Father Time longer than most, Belichick was always preparing for what came next. That search for the next man up led them, in 2019, to a fourth-round flyer on a big-armed quarterback out of Auburn: Jarrett Stidham.
Now, in 2026, Stidham finds himself in a full-circle moment. After years as a backup in Denver, he’s suddenly thrust into the spotlight following Bo Nix’s injury-and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
A trip to Super Bowl LX is on the line, and standing in his way? The team that once drafted him to be the heir to a legend.
The Patriots Years: A Role That Never Quite Materialized
Stidham’s time in New England was a mix of promise, pressure, and untapped potential.
Back in 2019, he edged out veteran Brian Hoyer to become Tom Brady’s primary backup. His NFL debut came in Week 3 against the Jets, where he completed two of three passes-but one of those was a pick-six to Jamal Adams. It was a tough welcome to the league and enough for Brady to re-enter and close out the game himself.
Still, the Patriots liked what they saw behind the scenes. Stidham flashed during the preseason-most notably in a game against the Lions where he went 14-of-24 for 179 yards and a touchdown. It was a glimpse of what could be.
When Brady left for Tampa Bay in 2020, Stidham was initially viewed as the in-house favorite to take the reins. But New England had other ideas.
The late signing of Cam Newton pushed Stidham down the depth chart. He eventually clawed his way back to the No. 2 spot and saw the field in five games that season, mostly in relief.
One of his brighter moments came against the Chiefs, when he tossed his first career touchdown to N'Keal Harry.
Unfortunately, momentum never truly built. A back surgery during 2021 training camp placed him on the PUP list for the first nine games.
By the time he was healthy, rookie Mac Jones had already taken firm control of the starting job. Stidham didn’t take a single snap that season, watching from the sideline as the Patriots transitioned to a new face of the franchise.
The Trade to Vegas: A Familiar Face, A Fresh Start
In May 2022, the Patriots made it official. Stidham was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in a late-round pick swap. The move reunited him with Josh McDaniels-his former offensive coordinator in New England-who had just taken over as head coach in Vegas.
The writing had been on the wall. With Mac Jones entrenched as the starter and veteran Brian Hoyer still in the mix, New England doubled down on its youth movement by selecting Bailey Zappe in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. That made Stidham the odd man out in a crowded quarterback room.
Draft Day Expectations vs. NFL Reality
Stidham entered the league with a decent amount of intrigue. After a standout 2017 season at Auburn, he was once projected as a potential first-rounder. But a dip in production the following year saw him slide to the fourth round, where the Patriots selected him with the 133rd overall pick.
He was the seventh quarterback taken in a draft class headlined by Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones. New England wasn’t looking for a finished product-they saw a high-upside project who could develop behind Brady.
The plan made sense on paper. The execution, however, was hampered by timing, injuries, and the Patriots’ evolving quarterback landscape.
The Numbers: A Career Still Waiting for Its Chapter
Stidham’s stat line in New England tells the story of a player who never quite got his shot. Over three seasons, he appeared in eight games, completing 24 of 48 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. His passer rating during that span sat at 46.4.
It’s a modest resume, especially when compared to the expectations that come with being Brady’s backup. But the NFL is all about timing-and sometimes, the opportunity just doesn’t line up with the moment.
Now or Never: Stidham’s Unexpected Shot at Redemption
Fast forward to today, and Jarrett Stidham is back in the spotlight-this time as the next man up for the Denver Broncos. With Bo Nix sidelined due to injury, Stidham is set to lead the Broncos into a high-stakes AFC Championship matchup against none other than the Patriots.
It’s a moment dripping with narrative. The quarterback once groomed to take over in New England now has a chance to knock his former team out of the postseason and punch a ticket to the Super Bowl. It’s the kind of storyline you can’t script.
For Stidham, it’s not just about proving he belongs-it’s about seizing the kind of moment that eluded him in Foxborough. And for the Patriots, it’s a reminder that in the NFL, the past always finds a way to meet the present.
Whether this is a career-defining chapter or just another twist in a winding journey, one thing’s for sure: Jarrett Stidham’s story isn’t finished yet. Not by a long shot.