The Denver Broncos are left searching for answers following Bo Nix’s surprising season-ending injury. Denver now has serious questions at quarterback with the Broncos just one game away from the Super Bowl.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has already tabbed Jarrett Stidham as the team’s new starting quarterback amid Nix’s absence. The challenge is Stidham has not completed a pass since 2023. Stidham played briefly in just one game during the 2025 season.
Could the Broncos hit the free agent market to find a quarterback solution ahead of the AFC Championship? CBS Sports’ John Breech outlined six “wild” quarterback options for the Broncos to consider.
There are a few unrealistic options listed like Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. Yet, a former Pro Bowl quarterback stands out as a viable option to at least consider.
Could the Broncos make a run at Ryan Tannehill?
Broncos Rumors: Former Pro Bowler Ryan Tannehill Could Be an Option as an Emergency Quarterback
It is worth noting that the chances of the Broncos signing a quarterback to start in the AFC Championship less than one week after joining the team is unrealistic. Yet, it could make sense to sign a veteran like Tannehill for depth in case Stidham struggles. Breech labels Tannehill as “Denver’s most intriguing option” given the current underwhelming free agent market of available veteran signal-callers.
“As crazy as it sounds, this might actually be Denver’s most intriguing option,” Breech wrote 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 continued.
“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.”
Ryan Tannehill Played in the NFL More Recently Than Philip Rivers Prior to QB’s Surprising Return
Tannehill’s days as a former Pro Bowl quarterback who commanded a four-year, $118 million contract are over. This does not mean the former NFL quarterback could not be considered as an emergency option. Denver also has Sam Ehlinger on the roster as the team’s third quarterback.
The challenge is Tannehill has not played in the NFL since 2023 when the quarterback appeared in 10 games for the Tennessee Titans, including eight starts. Tannehill struggled in his final NFL season throwing for 1,16 yards, seven interceptions and four touchdowns while completing 64.8% of his passes.
Stidham does not enter the AFC Championship with a lot of recent experience either. It could be wise for the Broncos to at least host Tannehill for a workout if the former Pro Bowler has an interest in a brief return.
After all, the Indianapolis Colts tried an even crazier experiment this season with Philip Rivers who held his own despite a near five-year layoff.
Ex-$118 Million Pro Bowl QB Eyed as Broncos’ Top Option to Help Replace Bo Nix