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The Denver Broncos were one of the best teams in the NFL last season, earning a first-round bye as the AFC’s top seed in the playoffs. After an overtime scare during the AFC Divisional Round, the Broncos advanced to the Conference Championship, but after Bo Nix fractured his ankle, they were suddenly heavy underdogs. Jarrett Stidham hadn’t thrown a pass since 2023, yet here he was being called upon to start in the biggest moment of his career.
While the Broncos only lost by three points, a better performance from Denver’s starting quarterback could have launched them to a Super Bowl appearance. Only that didn’t happen. Now Stidham’s job as Denver’s top backup quarterback could be at risk.
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Sam Ehlinger Could Steal Broncos’ Backup QB Job
When the Broncos needed a big game from Stidham, he failed to deliver. The 29-year-old completed just 17-of-31 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown. More crucial than the lack of completions and overall yardage was the fact that he threw an interception and lost a fumble, setting the New England Patriots up for an easy touchdown by starting their drive on the 12-yard-line.
Surprisingly, the Broncos didn’t do anything to upgrade the competition in their QB room this offseason; they’re rolling with the same group. But that doesn’t mean head coach Sean Payton won’t decide on a new QB2 anyway.
Recently, The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel took an early crack at projecting the Broncos’ roster for the season ahead, and when it came to the quarterback position, he had Sam Ehlinger as Nix’s backup, not Stidham.
Choosing not to add any competition, not even an undrafted free agent, is a mild surprise. Yet, it’s also a strong backing of support from coach Payton on the QBs the Broncos already have on hand.
Now, rather than issuing some valuable reps to a prospect who may never touch an NFL field outside of late in the preseason, all those opportunities will go to either Stidham or Ehlinger instead. It’s up to the 27-year-old Ehlinger, who arrived as a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, to show that not only does he belong on the roster, but that he can leapfrog a more experienced QB in Stidham.
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