Bo Nix Goes Down, Jarrett Stidham Steps Up: Broncos Turn to Familiar Faces for AFC Title Run
The Denver Broncos are heading to the AFC Championship-but not without a gut punch along the way. Bo Nix, the rookie quarterback who helped steer Denver through a resurgent season, suffered a right ankle injury in Saturday night’s overtime win against the Buffalo Bills. The victory was gritty, dramatic, and full of playoff energy-but it came at a steep cost.
With Nix sidelined, the Broncos are turning to a pair of quarterbacks who know the building, the playbook, and the moment. Jarrett Stidham takes over as the starter, while Ben DiNucci has been signed to the practice squad, giving Denver a trusted, experienced depth option as the postseason pressure ramps up.
Trust Over Flash
This isn’t the time of year for splashy moves or headline-chasing signings. It’s about continuity, trust, and minimizing disruption.
That’s exactly what the Broncos are doing by bringing back DiNucci. He’s not just a familiar face-he’s a quarterback who spent all of 2023 in Denver, learning Sean Payton’s notoriously intricate offensive system from the inside out.
DiNucci’s not here to take over the huddle. He’s here to make sure the huddle doesn’t fall apart.
He knows the terminology. He knows the locker room.
He knows what Payton wants from his quarterbacks, and that kind of plug-and-play familiarity is invaluable when the stakes are this high.
The Stidham Show
This move also sends a loud, clear message: Jarrett Stidham is the guy.
No trade. No late-season free-agent splash.
No emergency vet flying in to save the day. Instead, Payton is putting his faith in a quarterback who’s been in the system for three years and has earned the respect of the locker room.
Internally, Stidham isn’t viewed as a backup-he’s a starter who’s been waiting for his moment.
And now, that moment is here.
Payton has praised Stidham’s accuracy throughout the year, even joking that he’s made Denver’s elite defense look silly in practice. That’s not just coachspeak-it’s a reflection of how much confidence this staff has in his ability to execute the offense.
The Broncos aren’t scrambling. They’re shifting gears with someone who already knows how to drive the car.
No, Brees Was Never an Option
Yes, the internet had its fun. The idea of Drew Brees coming out of retirement for one last playoff run with Sean Payton made for great social media fodder.
But in reality, that was never on the table. Between league rules, trade deadlines, and the simple fact that Brees has been out of the game for years, the reunion fantasy was just that-a fantasy.
Denver’s decision to sign DiNucci wasn’t about turning back the clock. It was about keeping the offense on schedule and giving Stidham the support he needs to succeed.
Next Man Up
Bo Nix’s season ended with a gutsy performance-staying in the game on a broken ankle to help set up the game-winning field goal. That’s the kind of toughness that defines playoff football. But now, it’s Stidham’s team.
With DiNucci back in the fold, the Broncos have fortified their quarterback room without disrupting their rhythm. It’s a smart, steady move that keeps the focus where it belongs: on the New England Patriots and the road to Super Bowl LX.
The magic Nix brought to this season can’t be replaced. But the Broncos aren’t trying to. They’re betting that with the right pieces around him, Stidham can write his own chapter-and maybe, just maybe, keep this Cinderella run alive.