The Denver Broncos are heading into the AFC Championship with a shot at the Super Bowl, but this time, they’re doing it with an unexpected twist: Jarrett Stidham under center. It’s not the script anyone predicted when the season began, but history - and head coach Sean Payton’s track record - suggests the Broncos might be more prepared for this moment than it seems.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t unfamiliar territory for Payton. He’s built a reputation not just for offensive innovation, but for getting the most out of the next man up - especially at quarterback.
And that’s not just coach-speak. Former quarterbacks who’ve played under Payton know exactly what Stidham is stepping into, and they like his chances.
Chase Daniel, who spent time with Payton in New Orleans, sees this as an ideal setup for a backup stepping into the spotlight. “I'm just coming at it from the standpoint of a backup quarterback in Jarrett Stidham - who I think is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL,” Daniel said.
“Here's the thing about Sean Payton that you got to know. The entire gameplan?
Nothing changes.”
That’s a key point. Continuity is everything in January football.
When a team loses its starting quarterback, the typical response is to scale things back, go conservative, and hope the defense and run game can carry the load. But Payton doesn’t operate that way.
His system is built to adapt without compromising its identity.
Luke McCown, another former Saints backup, echoed the same confidence. “There’s no other coach you’d rather have with his backup in this situation,” McCown posted. “He’s gonna call a beauty of a game.”
That trust in Payton’s play-calling and preparation isn’t just nostalgia from former players - it’s rooted in experience. Both Daniel and McCown lived the reality of being backups in Payton’s system, and they know the level of detail and confidence that comes with it. That’s why they’re not blinking at the idea of Stidham taking on the Patriots with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
Now, none of this guarantees a win. The Patriots are battle-tested and well-coached, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
But the Broncos aren’t walking into this game hoping for a miracle. They’re walking in with a coach who’s been here before and a quarterback who’s been given the keys without the training wheels.
Denver is one win away from the Super Bowl. And while it might not be the quarterback story most fans expected, it’s one that has plenty of believers - especially from those who’ve lived it firsthand.