Sunday’s start is a life-changing moment for Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, with the chance at a Super Bowl and at a significant pay raise from his current $6 million average

Here's the story of how Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham became the best scout team quarterback in the state of Texas.

Stidham, 29, will make his fifth career start and the first postseason start of his career on Sunday. Backed by 76,000 fans at Empower Field at Mile High, Stidham will attempt to help the Broncos return to the Super Bowl for the ninth time in franchise history.

Stidham cards are selling just as well, if not better, than those of the bigger name quarterbacks still gunning for the Super Bowl.

From that point forward, Payton discussed Stidham as a starting-caliber No. 2 quarterback. Out of the gates, Stidham backed up Russell Wilson in 2023, and just like his 2022 season in Las Vegas, he closed it out as the Broncos' starter in the final two games.

Denver's defense must once again lead the charge as the Broncos aim for Super Bowl 60. They host the New England Patriots in the AFC championship on Sunday.

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.