Broncos head coach Sean Payton has been consistent in his public portrayal of Stidham: he's a starting-caliber quarterback serving in a No. 2 role. Now is Stidham's time to prove his coach right, with Bo Nix out for what remains of the playoffs with a broken ankle.

Broncos' Jarrett Stidham to more than double NFL playoff record set by Joe Webb in 2012 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Denver Broncos are entering their AFC Championship matchup against the New England Patriots with a major hurdle to clear.

The former Auburn quarterback will be “ready for the moment” on Sunday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham has proven himself to be a capable backup here in Denver. Stidham was originally signed by the Broncos in 2023, to backup then-quarterback Russell Wilson. After the Broncos benched Wilson at the end of 2023 and drafted Bo Nix in 2024, Stidham found himself in a competition for the starting job.

All that stands between the New England Patriots and their first trip to the Super Bowl since Tom Brady left is a backup quarterback that they already know pretty well. The team that Brady led to six NFL titles — and 13 conference title games — will play Denver (15-3) on Sunday for the AFC championship against one of the QBs who filled in as his successor.