Sean Payton 'Not Worried' About Jarrett Stidham Ahead of AFC Title Game vs. Patriots

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton says he's focused on the team around his quarterback, not Jarrett Stidham's ability to step in for Bo Nix, ahead of Sunday's AFC championship game against the New England Patriots.

"I told the team this: I said, 'I'm not worried about Stiddy in this game. I'm worried about everyone else, and how we play.' And that really is the truth," Payton told reporters Friday.

Nix suffered a season-ending injury late in the Broncos' divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills last Saturday.

That will put Stidham, who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since 2023, on track to make his playoff debut with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line this Sunday.

Payton said Wednesday that Stidham is "going to rip it" during his return to the field.

"He's got this calm demeanor that I think suits him well," Payton said, before citing Stidham's experience playing in meaningful games at Auburn.

Stidham told reporters Wednesday that he has "prepared the same every single week like I'm the starter" while backing up Russell Wilson and Nix over the last two seasons, per NFL.com's Nick Shook.

"Obviously, it hasn't been that way minus two weeks. So, my preparation hasn't changed one bit," Stidham said.

The Broncos offensive line allowed an NFL-low six sacks this regular season while deploying an elite pass-blocking unit led by Garett Bolles.

Denver's defense meanwhile ranked second in the NFL with 278.2 yards allowed and third with 18.3 points allowed per game.

Payton will look for Bolles to protect Stidham's blind side, and the Broncos' defense to limit a high-scoring Patriots offense, while helping Stidham adjust to his NFL playoff debut this weekend.

The Broncos and Patriots at set to kick off at Mile High Stadium on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.