Mile High Report
Veteran Jarrett Stidham will be the backup quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2025.
After years of searching for a franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning retired, the Denver Broncos feel confident they have found their next one in Bo Nix.
With an impressive rookie season underneath his belt, Broncos Country is excited about the potential of their second-year signal caller. Just how good he can be remains to be seen. Though after an impressive offseason adding talent at running back, wide receiver, and tight end—the Broncos have certainly given him added weapons to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.
The team also seem to be comfortable with the player poised to be his backup for their upcoming 2025 campaign—veteran Jarrett Stidham. In Head Coach Sean Payton’s first year with the Broncos, Denver signed the former fourth-round pick out of Auburn in the 2019 NFL Draft to a two-year contract worth $10 million. This offseason, they brought Stidham back on a two-year, $12 million dollar deal with $7 million guaranteed. That investment indicates he will be the Broncos’ backup quarterback in ‘25.
Age: 27 | Experience: 6th Year | College: Auburn | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 215 pounds
Career Stats: 19 games played, 4 starts, 117 completions, 59.4-completion percentage, 1,422 yards, 8 touchdowns, 8 interceptions
In 2024, the Broncos carried three quarterbacks on their final roster. Nix, Stidham and former first-round pick Zach Wilson. Stidham appeared in just three games with 14 snaps on offense while Wilson didn’t see any time at all.
Leading up to free agency, I had thought the Broncos may have opted to re-sign Wilson, primarily due to upside and a former first-round profile. However, Denver agreed to terms with Stidham a week before Wilson signed with the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal worth $6 million.
Playing with three different franchises to date, Stidham doesn’t have a lot of on the field reps compared to a lot of backup quarterbacks. His last significant playing time came during the regular season came in 2023, when he replaced Russell Wilson at the end of the season. In those two games, he threw for 496 yards and completed 40 passes with two touchdowns, and one interception.
Entering his third year with the Broncos, Stidham has been able to learn Payton’s complex system and continue to develop under the tutelage of quarterback coach Davis Webb. With only Sam Ehlinger as the only other quarterback in the mix, Stidham will likely see ample playing time in the preseason to work on his craft and execution on the field.
I expect the Broncos will carry just Nix and Stidham on the final 53-man roster for the ‘25 season. That will free up one roster spot compared to last year and allow them to keep more talent at another position. In the event Stidham has to start, I feel a bit more comfortable given his playbook knowledge, the upgrades at...
