When Bo Nix suffered his season ending injury against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, the weight of the world was placed on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s shoulders.
The veteran quarterback hadn’t thrown a regular season pass since finishing out the final three-game stretch of the 2023 season replacing Russell Wilson. But when Nix went down, Stidham was given a gargantuan task to help lead the Broncos to victory over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
After an early three-and-out to open the game, Denver’s offense rebounded with a second drive touchdown. At that point in time, it seemed like “Stiddy” and his offensive teammates could do enough to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. Alas, their efforts fizzled the remainder of the game and zero points were added to the scoreboard through the final three quarters.
Stidham’s lost fumble and interception proved to be costly and the Broncos’ miraculous season would come to a crushing end with a 10-7 loss. Entering his fourth year with the Broncos, the veteran quarterback hopes to be the primary backup to Nix for the 2026 season. Will Stidham earn the backup job with the Broncos once again or will Sam Ehlinger find a way to unseat him as the primary backup to Nix? Let’s discuss.
Age: 30 | Experience: Seventh Year | College: Auburn | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 215 pounds
2025 Statistics: 17 regular season appearances as Nix’s backup. No regular season passing statistics. 17 of 31 for 133 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception in AFCCG vs. Patriots. Three sacks taken, one lost fumble.
Jarrett Stidham’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
At this juncture, I’d presume Stidham is the favorite to win the backup job. Nevertheless, it certainly isn’t an absolute guarantee. While many fans were upset with Stidham’s performance in the AFC Championship Game, there is no denying Stidham has more experience with and knowledge of Head Coach Sean Payton’s system than Ehlinger.
That in itself is enough for me to have him as the early favorite in the competition. Also, I’d venture to say that Stidham’s overall mechanics and ability as a quarterback are a bit more advanced than Ehlinger’s. Though I would argue Ehlinger may have a slight edge when it comes to arm strength. But is an edge in one category enough to supplant a longtime NFL backup?
It may also be of note that Stidham was the first outside free agent signing the Broncos made when Payton took over. He is a player Denver’s offensive staff clearly think high off. Both Payton and newly crowned Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb have given nothing but praise for Stidham during his stint with the Broncos.
My gut tells me that Stidham will wind up earning the Broncos’ backup job for their ‘26 gridiron campaign for the reasons above. In the final year of his two-year contract signed in 2025, Stidham is scheduled to make roughly $8 million this season. Ehlinger on the other hand, accounts for just $2 million against the salary cap. If the Broncos opt to roll with Ehlinger, the Broncos will gain a decent amount of salary cap space—$4.5 million vs. 3.5 million in dead money.
At the end of the day, I don’t think salary cap savings will have an impact on the staff’s decision at backup quarterback. The only question that will matter to them is “Who gives us the best shot to win each week if Nix isn’t available?” In my opinion, I’d give the edge to Stiddy.
