Denver Broncos’ Jarrett Stidham: The Unlikely AFC Championship Game Starter
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos’ 2023 offseason saw significant changes, including the hiring of head coach Sean Payton. One of the team’s first moves under Payton’s leadership was signing three players during the initial hours of free agency. While the signings of offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Ben Powers were expected, the third player to join the team was quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
With the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots approaching, Stidham is set to start for the Broncos after Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the divisional round. Nix had been the team’s starter throughout the regular season, leading the Broncos to a 14-3 record and the number one seed in the conference. Stidham, on the other hand, has not thrown a pass in a non-preseason game since replacing Russell Wilson for the final two games of the 2023 campaign, a span of 749 days.
According to ESPN Research, Stidham will join Joe Webb (2012) as the only quarterbacks since 1950 to enter a playoff start with zero passing yards that season. Despite the lack of recent game experience, Stidham’s teammates have expressed confidence in his abilities. “Stiddy’s been waiting for this moment for the entirety of his career,” said Mike McGlinchey. “He’s more prepared than anybody would be in this situation. And he can ball, he can flat out play quarterback. We’ve seen it every day in practice. We’ve seen it in training camp.”
Stidham’s situation is almost unprecedented in the Super Bowl era. The closest comparison is Roger Staubach, who started a conference championship game in 1972 after not starting a game that season. However, Staubach had started 10 games the previous season and had thrown 20 passes in four appearances during the 1972 regular season. Stidham, on the other hand, has played only 20 games since being drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, with six or fewer snaps in 10 of those contests.
Despite the limited game experience, Stidham has made a significant impact on the team. He has been praised by his teammates for his work ethic and leadership. “We have full faith in Stiddy. He’s the first guy in the building every day,” said defensive tackle Zach Allen. “He’s like a second quarterback coach out there.” Cornerback Pat Surtain II added, “I’m looking forward to seeing what Stiddy got… I’m excited for him, this opportunity, he’s got everything it takes to shine on this level… just how he operates… cool, calm, collected.”
Stidham’s personality has also been a significant factor in the team’s culture. He is known for his portable stereo “Mr. Turtle,” which is waterproof, allowing his music choices to be heard in the showers. His aggressive streak and willingness to push the ball downfield have been evident in preseason and scout team work. In his best regular-season performance as a pro, Stidham compiled a 365-yard, three-touchdown day in a 37-34 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.
One area to watch with Stidham is sacks. He has taken 13 in his four career starts, including six against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 finale. Nix’s sack avoidance has been one of his best features, with only 22 sacks in 17 regular-season contests. Stidham will need to be mindful of this aspect of his game to succeed against the Patriots.
Despite the challenges ahead, Stidham is confident in his abilities. “I’m still a vibe guy,” he said. “… I like to keep the vibes going…. We’re playing in [the] AFC Championship [Game], one of the last four teams playing, what’s not fun about this?” With the support of his teammates and coaches, Stidham is ready to take on the Patriots and lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl.
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What to Expect from Jarrett Stidham
Stidham’s performance will be crucial to the Broncos’ success in the AFC Championship Game. With his aggressive streak and ability to push the ball downfield, he has the potential to make big plays against the Patriots. However, his lack of recent game experience and tendency to take sacks will need to be addressed. If Stidham can stay calm and collected, he may be able to lead the Broncos to a victory and a spot in the Super Bowl.
Conclusion
Jarrett Stidham’s journey to becoming the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback in the AFC Championship Game is a unique one. Despite the challenges he faces, Stidham has the support of his teammates and coaches, and he is confident in his abilities. With his aggressive streak and ability to push the ball downfield, Stidham has the potential to make a significant impact in the game. As the Broncos take on the Patriots, all eyes will be on Stidham to see if he can lead his team to victory.
