Jarrett Stidham has locked up a backup quarterback job, and will be paid handsomely to do it.
On Wednesday, the Denver Broncos released an updated version of their unofficial depth chart. Stidham, a former New England Patriots backup, was listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind rookie Bo Nix and ahead of Zach Wilson.
Stidham is the lone holdover from the Broncos’ 2023 quarterback quagmire, which saw Russell Wilson struggle before being cut. Stidham started the final two games of the 2023 season after Wilson was benched. In those two starts, Stidham completed 60.61% of his passes for an average of 248 yards along with 2 touchdowns and a pick.
As longtime Broncos reporter Mike Klis notes, no player will be paid more to be a backup quarterback than Stidham this year. The 28-year-old is set to make $6 million this year, which ties him with the Commanders’ Marcus Mariota and Jets’ Tyrod Taylor for tops among backup quarterbacks.
In winning the No. 2 quarterback job, Stidham beat out Wilson, who famously flamed out with the Jets. Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, never panned out in New York and signed with the Broncos this offseason to try and revitalize his career. For now, he’s looking up at Stidham on the depth chart.
Stidham started his career as a fourth-round pick in 2019, starting out as a backup during Tom Brady’s final season in New England. Stidham remained a factor in the quarterback room.
There was a brief period where Stidham appeared to be in line to start in New England after Brady’s departure. However, the acquisition of Cam Newton ended that scenario.
Stidham remained in New England in 2021, sitting behind Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer. But after missing much of the season due to a back injury, he did not see the field.
In May 2022, the Patriots traded Stidham away to the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting him with former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Stidham signed a two-year deal with Denver the following offseason.
