The Denver Broncos won what may go down as one of their most memorable postseason victories over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, and the vibes were high at Mile High. However, right after the victory, Sean Payton announced to the world that quarterback Bo Nix, who led the team to victory, broke a bone in his ankle and will be out for the rest of the season.
Gut punch.
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The following is being preached around the league, and the Broncos have had their share of players stepping up to it compared to the Bills. Wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey caught a deep touchdown pass, backup safety Josh Allen had significant consideration, backup center Alex Forsyth was starting, and now, the Broncos will rely on the “next man” at quarterback.
Veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start for the Broncos in the AFC Championship game and have a chance to be an unlikely hero and lead the team back to the Super Bowl. Although many will doubt the Broncos, what’s new, head coach Sean Payton had a message for anyone who doubts Jarrett Stidham.
Be careful.
Payton told reporters that quarterback Jarrett Stidham is ready for the opportunity and preached his full belief in him. He went on to say that he entered this season with a defender who he believes is capable of starting many teams and warned all doubters to “be careful”.
“You know… In fairness to what you’ve seen, very limited, he’s good. He’s good. I said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I’m No. 2. [quarterback] able to initiate several, number of groups. I know you feel the same way. So be careful. Just look. He has experience, he has played in games.”
The confidence Payton has in Jarrett Stidham from his first year with the team in 2023. Signing Stidham was a priority for the team, and Payton spoke highly of him and also told reporters that he believed Stidham could be the starting quarterback in the NFL.
“I think he’s still young, but I think he’s a good guy coming out. We like the player. I think he’s played well in the 2 games he’s had this year. If you study San Francisco’s game closely, he’s smart at the line of scrimmage so, there were directions, actually, in that situation. There were a few, but I was comfortable in No. think, No. 2 that his arrow is going in a way (moving up) where we feel like he can be a starter of the NFL in our league.
Stidham started the final two games of that season after the Broncos benched Russell Wilson, and held the job throughout the season and into training camp, even with Bo Nix on the roster. As we know, Bo would end up winning the quarterback championship, but one could argue that Stidham had the best summer that season. He played well and played well this past preseason when he looked accurate, made plays downfield, used his legs. Now, the preseason is nowhere near the AFC Championship Game, but the last time we saw Stidham play, he looked good.
Chase Daniel, who has been working as a backup to Drew Brees with the Saints, said last night that Payton will not change the gameplan much. We will see Stiddy swinging the ball, and the gameplan doesn’t change much since he is in the center.
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If the Broncos want to reach the Super Bowl, they will need Stidham to hit the ball and repeat his preseason success in the AFC Championship Game. It’s a completely different animal, and this will be Stidham’s first postseason game and the biggest game of his career, but he has a shot to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl and become a legend in Broncos history.
Go scare the world, Stiddy!
