Broncos Rumors: Raiders FA Jarrett Stidham Lands Contract as Russell Wilson's Backup

The Denver Broncos agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with free-agent quarterback Jarrett Stidham, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Stidham will collect $5 million guaranteed to back up Russell Wilson in the Mile High City.

Stidham appeared in five games for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, making two starts. He finished with 656 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

There isn't much doubt about who will open the season as Denver's starting quarterback. As long as he's under contract, Wilson will lead the offense in Week 1.

This move does seem to indicate the Broncos are putting contingencies in place should Wilson's general decline continue under new head coach Sean Payton. Stidham is an upgrade over Brett Rypien, who replaced the 34-year-old when he was sidelined with injuries.

Payton has said all of the right things about the nine-time Pro Bowler since arriving, and maybe the star quarterback really is rejuvenated in 2023. Wilson's five-year, $242.6 million contract gives the Broncos plenty of reasons to not give up hope on that possibility.

Denver's front office can't pretend the past few years didn't happen, though. Wilson's QBR has fallen in each of the last three seasons—hitting a career low of 37.0 in 2022—and he isn't getting any younger.

Stidham isn't the kind of signing who will put immediate heat on Wilson, but unlike Rypien, he's somebody you at least could picture supplanting the future Hall of Famer as the starter.