“Broncos’ Backup QB Turns into Bo Nix’s Secret Weapon — Stidham Embraces Mentor Role to Build a Future Star”

Jarrett Stidham was close to perfect in the Denver Broncos’ preseason opener on Saturday. The veteran quarterback completed 14-of-15 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a team-high 36 yards as the Broncos kicked things off with 30-9 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

The 29-year-old Stidham is slated to again be the backup to Bo Nix, who won the starting job as a rookie.

It’s a role Stidham is embracing as he begins his sixth season in the NFL.

“It’s been great. Bo and I obviously have an incredible relationship,” Stidham said following the game, via Broncos Wire. “I mean, he’s one of my closest friends and being able to be with him and help him out as much as I possibly can, that’s what I’m here to do. Not only him, but the rest of the guys on offense. And this is a lot of us.

“This is our third year in this system together. We’re just trying to keep pushing guys to be better and keep pushing him to continue to excel and lead the team.”

Stidham signed a two-year, $12 million extension ($7 million guaranteed) with Denver in March.

Who is the Broncos’ Starting Quarterback?

Nix, the 12th overall pick out of Oregon, took the starting job last season and ran with it, completing 66.3% of his passes for 29 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions. Nix also ran for 430 yards and another four scores.

The Broncos went 10-7 and ended an eight-year playoff drought, qualifying for the first time since the 2015-16 season when they won Super Bowl 50. They lost 31-7 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round.

The surprising turnaround ratcheted up expectations, and Nix will be looked to plenty to help Denver take another big step forward in Year 2.

While Nix isn’t thought of as highly in NFL circles as fellow 2024 first-round picks like Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, many are bullish on what he can do.

ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky recently ranked Nix among the top 10 decision-makers at quarterback.

“Broncos coach Sean Payton simplified a lot of the offense for the rookie, but look closer and you’ll see that he was still asked to make a lot of tough calls,” Orlovsky wrote. “There is plenty of high-end decision-making on the tape. He found opportunities to pick up chunks of yards through screens, but he located and executed some deep balls. Keep an eye on him in this area in Year 2.”

Jarrett Stidham Has Well-Traveled in the NFL

Stidham has bounced around since being drafted in the fourth round (133rd overall) in 2019, as backup quarterbacks tend to do.

After three seasons with the New England Patriots, including one lost to injury, Stidham was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022 for draft compensation. He appeared in five games, starting two for the first time after the Raiders benched Derek Carr.

The following offseason, Stidham joined the Broncos on a two-year, $10 million deal. Stidham started the final two games of the 2023 season in place of Russell Wilson. The Broncos went 1-1 in those games, with Stidham throwing for 496 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Last season, Stidham played just 14 snaps and did not throw a single pass.

Stidham was credited for mentoring Nix, who coincidentally followed him at Auburn.