If there’s one team that knows Denver Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, it’s the New England Patriots, who selected him in the 2019 draft to support Tom Brady.
When Josh McDaniels took over the Las Vegas Raiders, he acquired Stidham, who was Derek Carr’s backup for two years before signing with the Broncos. There, he was number two behind Russell Wilson, and then Bo Nix.
After McDaniels returned to New England for his third stint as offensive coordinator last season, the Patriots wanted to bring Stidham back, but he chose to stay in Denver.
While Nix is recovering from surgery to heal a broken right ankle suffered during his team’s overtime-winning offensive streak against the Buffalo Bills last weekend, Stidham will be the starter for the Broncos (15-3) when they host Drake Maye and the Patriots (16-3) in the American Association final.
Although Nix has been a vital part of the Broncos’ success this season — he orchestrated six fourth-quarter or overtime comebacks and led his team to an NFL-best 12-2 record in one-possession games — his coaches and teammates insist they’re just as confident Stidham can guide them to the Super Bowl.
“We’re lucky to have him,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. Not every team has such a talented quarterback ready to take over. »
Although Patriots management knows Stidham well, defensive tackle Milton Williams didn’t mince his words when asked what he knew about the sixth-year quarterback, who hasn’t thrown a pass in two years.
” Nothing. I’m not going to lie, he said. We will watch the videos and try to understand what he likes to do. But they didn’t choose him over Bo, so…”
Obviously, no team prefers its backup quarterback to its starter, but Broncos head coach Sean Payton has indicated that Stidham could be a starter on a number of NFL teams.
Stidham may not have the same track record as Nix, but he’s far from a player to take lightly, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez said.
“He plays in the NFL for a reason,” Gonzalez said. They believe in him so we must prepare to face him. They too are there for a reason. They have a formidable attack. »
Stidham, however, will not be able to count on running back JK Dobbins at his side. The Broncos announced that Dobbins would not play after returning to practice for the first time since undergoing foot surgery in November.
In his second year in the NFL, and his first under McDaniels’ tutelage, Maye had a season worthy of an MVP. His performances in the playoffs, however, were disconcerting: 10 sacks, two interceptions and six fumbles, three of which were lost. However, the Patriots easily defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans.
“He’s really impressive,” Payton said. He’s extremely fast, and his runs obviously come from his pocket releases, but he’s also very mobile. We encountered this type of challenge last week. It seems that every three weeks we absolutely have to be at the top against an opponent who forces us to be impeccable in putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. »
The Broncos defense led the NFL with 68 sacks, but struggled to commit turnovers before getting five against the Bills.
This defense, combined with a good ground game, could make all the difference for Stidham against his former team. He has made only four career starts, including one victory, on December 31, 2023.
“I’m very grateful to the Patriots for giving me a chance in this league, for drafting me,” said Stidham, “whose only offensive coordinators during his NFL career were McDaniels and Payton.
But the choice wasn’t difficult last spring, when he signed a two-year contract worth US$12 million with the Broncos. Stidham said he has confidence in Payton, quarterbacks coach Davis Webb and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and really enjoys working with Nix.
“I felt like in the last two years I’ve been here, I’ve improved a lot,” said Stidham, who will have the opportunity to prove it this weekend.
Without Nix, the Broncos will be the biggest home underdog in history for a conference final game. The Patriots, who went 8-0 on the road this season, are a five-point favorite according to oddsmakers.
