NFL news: Broncos’ Sean Payton backs Jarrett Stidham

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NFL news: Broncos’ Sean Payton backs Jarrett Stidham

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Jarrett Stidham will make his first playoff debut next weekend when the Denver Broncos compete for the AFC Championship and a berth in Super Bowl LX.

Stidham was thrust into the starting role shortly after the team’s win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night in which it was revealed that Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle and will miss the rest of the playoffs.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 25, 2025. (Photos by Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn)

The veteran quarterback, who was once considered the heir to the starting job of the New England Patriots when Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has received a lot of trust from Broncos coach Sean Payton.

“It started with our audition in New Orleans for him,” Payton said when asked why he believed Stidham was ready for the challenge. “He was against us in the qualifiers. That doesn’t mean anything except that we like this player coming out. I know how he was trained in New England. I know exactly how he was trained in New England. And I know how [Patriots offensive coordinator Josh] McDaniels heard about him when he brought him from New England to Vegas. Then I got to know the reports of how he played, and then we saw him play in real time.

“But ultimately, to answer your question, we’ve been here for three years. In our three years, we’ve been watching him every day that you can’t reach him. He’ll be ready to go and he’s ready for now.”

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham warms up before the NFL’s divisional playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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Payton made it clear that Stidham will be ready for the game, comparing the situation to when Nick Foles took over from Carson Wentz and led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title and Jeff Hostetler brought in Phil Simms to surprise the Buffalo Bills with a Super Bowl win.

“Historically, all bets were off [former Giants quarterback Jeff] A hostel. They weren’t out of Philly [with former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles]. We lost [former Saints quarterback Drew] Brees during the season against the Rams, too [Buccaneers quarterback Teddy] Bridgewater has won five in a row. All bets can be cancelled. They weren’t going to Houston this year there [Texans quarterback Davis] Mills came in,” Payton said.

“The strategy always has to be built around the type and ability of the players you’re playing with. So are there certain things that Bo does differently than ‘Stiddy’? Sure. That’s where the work starts tonight.”

If Stidham wins the Denver game, he will become only the second quarterback to make his playoff debut and win. Frank Reich did it for the Bills against the Houston Oilers with an incredible comeback.