Is Jarrett Stidham an Upgrade to Bo Nix? NFL Exec Hypes New Broncos QB1 After Nix's Shocking Injury

One rival executive isn't so sure whether the Denver Broncos will be worse off with Jarrett Stidham at quarterback instead of Bo Nix.

"He is going to do whatever he can to make the quarterback look good because it is his guy," the exec told The Athletic's Mike Sando in reference to Broncos coach Sean Payton. "I think they might be better with Jarrett Stidham."

Payton confirmed Nix will miss the remainder of the NFL playoffs after fracturing a bone in his right ankle during Saturday's 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills.

▶️ Full Bills-Broncos Recap

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That thrusts Stidham into the spotlight and presents him with an opportunity to be an unsung hero.

The 29-year-old heads into the AFC title game against the New England Patriots having not thrown a single pass during the 2024 or 2025 regular seasons. Still, there's some belief he can rise to the occasion.

"The guy threw for 365 yards against San Francisco a couple years ago," a different NFL executive said to Sando. "Payton liked him for a reason, and he'll coach the s--t out of him, and he can do it for a game."

Payton said all of the right things about Stidham in the immediate aftermath of the Bills game.

His belief in Stidham goes back to when Denver first signed him. This is far from the first time he said the 2019 draft pick is a starting-caliber QB.

Within the organization, it's business as usual ahead of the AFC championship.

"We were devastated for Bo, but no one's flinching," one staffer told The MMQB's Albert Breer. "It's like, 'O.K., it's Stiddy now. We think he's a starter in the league."

Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles already made the obvious comparison:

Most assumed the Eagles were toast when Carson Wentz got injured in Week 14 in 2017. Foles filled in and guided Philly to a Super Bowl title.

Granted, that QB change didn't come in the middle of the playoffs. Foles started three games before the postseason got underway.

There won't be any grace period for Stidham, and one big mistake could mean the difference between triumph and defeat against New England.