Jarrett Stidham: Everything you need to know

Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception while adding four rushes for 23 yards in the Broncos' 10-7 loss to the Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. He also lost a fumble. Getting the starting nod in place of Bo Nix (IR, ankle), Stidham set an encouraging tone early by leading a five-play, 59-yard drive on Denver's second possession that included a 52-yard completion to Marvin Mims and was capped off by a six-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton. However, that would be the extent of Denver's points on the afternoon, with increasingly deteriorating weather in the second half playing a significant role. Stidham's two turnovers were also costly, as his fumble came at his own 14-yard line early in the third quarter and led to New England's only touchdown, while his interception on a deep throw to Mims shortly before the two-minute warning snuffed out the Broncos' final hope to tie the game. Considering he had to open the game already down a key receiver in Troy Franklin (hamstring) and then also lost Pat Bryant to a hamstring issue in the second quarter, Stidham did a solid job in his first taste of game action in anything other than a preseason setting since the 2023 regular season; however, the combination of the elements, the Patriots defense and perhaps some of his own rust helped lead to a narrow loss.

Stidham will start in place of Bo Nix (ankle) in the AFC Championship Game, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports. Nix suffered a broken bone in his ankle in the final moments of Denver's divisional-round win over the Bills. He was able to finish the game, though his season is over. Stidham will now face either the Texans or the Patriots with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. He appeared in only one game this season and has not attempted a pass during the campaign.

Stidham and the Broncos agreed on a two-year, $12 million contract Sunday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Stidham will stick around Denver after spending the last two seasons with the team, most recently operating as the top backup option behind Bo Nix in 2024. The 28-year-old did not attempt a pass this past season and he'll likely remain the No. 2 option again in 2025.