After losing starting quarterback Bo Nix to a season-ending ankle injury, the Denver Broncos are turning the offense over to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
Now in his third season with the Broncos, Stidham is set to start in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, which will mark his first start since the final two games of the 2023 season after Russell Wilson was benched.
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Stidham went 1-1 as a starter to close out the 2023 campaign, then Denver cut Wilson and drafted Bo Nix during the 2024 offseason. Stidham competed with Nix for the starting job during training camp and preseason that summer. After Nix ultimately won the job, Stidham gave an honest reaction to coach Sean Payton’s decision.
“First of all, obviously, I was very disappointed,” Stidham said in 2024. “I know I’m a starting quarterback in this league. I have no doubts about that, and it just didn’t shake out my way. I know what kind of player I am, what kind of person I am. … I have no doubts that I’m a starting-caliber quarterback in this league.”
Despite his disappointment, Stidham vowed to support Nix and be ready if called upon.
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“Obviously, I’m going to do whatever I can to help Bo get prepared,” Stidham said in 2024. “Obviously, he’s never had a real season like this in the NFL. I’m going to help him whatever way I can, and then also be ready to go if I need to be. So [I’m] just ready for the season to get here.”
Since then, Nix and Stidham have become close friends, and Nix had a record-setting two-year run before injuring his ankle. Stidham will now get an opportunity, and it will be on a huge stage as the New England Patriots are set to visit Empower Field at Mile High with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Stidham believes he’s a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL. Now’s his chance to prove it.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Watch Jarrett Stidham react to Bo Nix winning QB1 job in 2024
