The Denver Broncos appear to be confident in Jarett Stidham ahead of the team’s AFC Championship showdown against the New England Patriots. With Bo Nix out for the season, all eyes are on Stidham as Denver appears to have passed on making a move for a marquee veteran free agent quarterback.
The Broncos did sign Ben DiNucci, but the signal-caller is more of an emergency quarterback option behind Stidham and Sam Ehlinger. CBS Sports’ John Breech outlined six potential free agent options Denver could pursue with Nix being sidelined.
Of the names, the majority of the players were unrealistic moves surrounding retired athletes who are well past their prime. Former Pro Bowl quarterback Ryan Tannehill was the one name who could have made some sense for Denver, as Heavy Sports previously outlined.
With the AFC Championship just days away, signing DiNucci appears to be the only quarterback move Denver will make before playing the Patriots.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Broncos news.
Broncos Rumors: Ryan Tannehill Made Some Sense for Denver as QB Insurance Amid Bo Nix’s Injury
Tannehill has not played since 2023, the same year Stidham last attempted a pass, when the veteran was on a four-year, $118 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. Breech made the argument for why Tannehill would be a viable option for Denver.
“As crazy as it sounds, this might actually be Denver’s most intriguing option,” Breech explained in a January 18, 2026, story titled, “Six wild QB options for Broncos after shocking Bo Nix injury: Tom Brady can’t play, but two other MVPs could.” “Tannehill hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass since Week 18 of the 2023 season, which sounds like a long time ago, but his last pass actually came on the same day that Stidham threw his last regular-season pass.
“The best part for the Broncos is that Tannehill does have some playoff experience: He led the Titans to the AFC title game in 2019 and then one year later, he helped lead Tennessee to the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC,” Breech added.
“Tannehill was coached in Tennessee by Mike Vrabel, who might end up being Denver’s opponent this year if his Patriots can beat the Texans on Sunday. Tannehill also has some mobility, which is something Payton would probably prefer to have.”
It is worth noting that Tannehill has tried to dismiss rumors about a possible NFL comeback. Yet, a potential two-game season with a trip to the Super Bowl is a lot different than playing an entire season.
Broncos HC Sean Payton on Jarrett Stidham vs. Patriots: ‘He’s Going to Rip It’
A move for Tannehill or another veteran did not necessarily mean that Stidham would be replaced as the Broncos starter. It would have provided Denver with additional insurance if things did not go as planned with Stidham.
If Broncos head coach Sean Payton is nervous about replacing Nix, he is not showing it publicly ahead of the AFC Championship. Payton continues to express confidence that Stidham will “rip it” against the Patriots.
“That’s his personality. He’s going to rip it, and that will be our approach,” Payton said of Stidham on January 21, per DNVR.com’s Henry Chisholm. “He has this calm demeanor that I think suits him well. He’s played in big games, college.
“I said this at the start of the season, I felt like our [No.] 2 was inside the best 32 [quarterbacks], and I think everyone feels that way.”
There is something to be said for Stidham not having to look over his shoulder if he makes a mistake in the AFC Championship. Denver is a 4.5-point home underdog against New England in the AFC Championship, per FanDuel.
Broncos Likely Pass on Ex-$118 Million Pro Bowl Quarterback Before Patriots Game