Broncos QB Draws Praise With ‘Unreal’ Preseason Debut

There’s a prevailing thought about people who know a lot about the NFL and know a lot about football that as far as backup quarterbacks go, you’re not going to get much better than Jarrett Stidham.

For the Denver Broncos, that’s the ultimate insurance policy for their young star in second year starter Bo Nix — which is why Denver continues to make Stidham one of the NFL’s highest paid backup quarterbacks and re-signed him to a 2-year, $12 million contract in March.

Stidham’s talents were on display in the Broncos’ 30-9 preseason opener win over the San Francisco 49ers on August 9 in which he had an unreal stat line in just 2 quarters of action — 14-of-15 passing for 136 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 3 carries for 36 yards.

Stidham’s ability to scramble and run the ball had fans and media buzzing almost as much or more than his brilliant performance throwing the ball, and he walked away with a 144.0 passer rating.

“It’s good for us to just get out there and play together and put up some points,” Stidham told 9 News Denver. “(When I’m running) it’s more like just trying get down and not make a mistake.”

Social Media Reacts to Stidham’s Big Day

There were some pretty incredible— and funny — reactions to Stidham’s big day on social media.

“I’ll be telling my kids about the Jarrett Stidham legacy 2nd quarter,” NFL reporter Bryce DeGroat wrote on his official X account. “Unreal.” 

“Jarrett Stidham on the 3rd and 15 scramble to get the first down,” Sleeper Broncos wrote on its official X account with an attached video showing Michael Vick’s Virginia Tech highlights. 

” … people don’t remember that Jarrett Stidham was the #1 mobile QB in his HS class and he was the highest ranked Baylor QB recruit of the Briles era,” Broncos reporter Swipa Cam wrote on his official X account. “He’s literally ALWAYS been able to run. Jarrett walked into Baylor and the red carpet was laid out for him.”

“Jarrett Stidham consistently putting in the work,” New England Patriots reporter Babz wrote on X. “Year after year. His time will come. He should be starting on multiple teams at this point.”

“Broncos backup QB Jarrett Stidham has had a good training camp this summer, and he carried it forward to a terrific game Saturday, giving hope that if he’s needed this season he can keep the team afloat,” Denver Sports Radio 104.3 FM wrote on its official X account. 

Stidham Should Get NFL Starting Opportunity

Headed into his seventh NFL season, Stidham has yet to be named a team’s full time starter — something that could very well change with a trade to someone in desperate need this season.

There’s a universe in which another team loses a starting quarterback due to injury in 2025 and the price for Stidham gets high enough the Broncos can’t turn it down.

If we’re talking about specifically what that number might be … let’s say at the point another team offers a third round pick the Broncos will be forced to say “Yes” on the spot.