Broncos confident Stidham to ‘be ready to go’ for AFC title game

Published on January 18, 2026 by Brainx Editorial

Broncos Heartbreak & Hope: Bo Nix Out for Playoffs, Stidham to Start AFC Title Game

Brainx Perspective

At Brainx, we believe the true measure of a championship caliber team isn’t just its star power, but its resilience in the face of catastrophe. The loss of Bo Nix is devastating, but it highlights the critical value of roster depth and coaching adaptability. Sean Payton has navigated these waters before; now, the Broncos must pivot from a dynamic rookie-led offense to a calculated, veteran-managed system. This isn’t just a personnel change; it’s a test of the entire organization’s fortitude.

The News: A Bittersweet Victory

In a shocking turn of events just hours after securing a spot in the AFC Championship, the Denver Broncos announced that rookie sensation Bo Nix has suffered a fractured right ankle and will miss the remainder of the postseason. The injury occurred during the Broncos’ thrilling 33-30 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills.

Head Coach Sean Payton confirmed on Sunday morning that Jarrett Stidham, the team’s backup quarterback, will take the reins for the AFC Championship Game.

Key Developments:

The Injury: Nix sustained the fracture on a designed run play with 6:04 remaining in overtime against the Bills. Despite the injury, he stayed on the field for two more plays before limping off after the game-winning sequence.
The Diagnosis: Post-game X-rays confirmed a fracture in the right ankle. Nix, who had thrown for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the win, is officially out for the season.
The Replacement: 29-year-old Jarrett Stidham has been named the starter. Stidham has been with the Broncos since 2023 but has not attempted a pass in the 2025 season.
The Confidence Vote: Coach Payton dismissed concerns about Stidham’s rust, citing his performance in practice against the Broncos’ starting defense. “He will be ready to go,” Payton asserted.
The Backup’s Backup: Sam Ehlinger, previously on the practice squad, will be elevated to the active roster to serve as Stidham’s backup.

Deep Dive: The Anatomy of a Season-Altering Moment

The atmosphere at Empower Field was electric as the Broncos celebrated their first AFC Championship berth since the Peyton Manning era. However, the mood in the locker room shifted drastically as news of Nix’s condition spread.

1. The Play That Changed Everything The injury occurred deep in overtime. On a first-and-10 from the Buffalo 36-yard line, Sean Payton called a designed run for Nix—a play that had been effective throughout the rookie’s record-breaking season. Nix was tackled for a loss of two yards, his leg twisting awkwardly under the defender. Remarkably, adrenaline seemed to carry him through. Nix jumped up, limped back to the huddle, and executed the final kneel-down to center the ball for Wil Lutz’s 23-yard game-winning field goal. It wasn’t until the celebration began that the severity became apparent. “I kind of chest bump him… I’m like ‘you all right?’ and he said ‘man, it’s hurting,'” Payton recounted.

2. Why Sean Payton Believes in Jarrett Stidham While the public may view this as a disaster, Sean Payton’s history suggests he is uniquely equipped to handle quarterback volatility. His confidence in Stidham stems from three specific factors:

The “Patriots Way” Pedigree: Stidham was drafted by New England and groomed under Josh McDaniels. Payton respects the rigorous mental processing required in that system, which overlaps significantly with his own complex play-calling.
Practice Performance: Payton revealed a behind-the-scenes detail that offers hope: Stidham has been torching the Broncos’ elite defense in practice. “There would be practices I’m looking at Vance [Joseph] getting pissed off because Stiddy’s making our defense look bad,” Payton noted.
System Knowledge: Stidham is in his third year with Payton (starting in 2023). He isn’t a mercenary signed mid-season; he knows the terminology, the protections, and the expectations intimately.

3. Historical Precedent: The Backup Cinderella Story Can a backup quarterback win a Super Bowl? History says yes.

Jeff Hostetler (1990 Giants): Took over for an injured Phil Simms late in the season and led the Giants to a Super Bowl XXV victory over the Bills—relying on a stifling defense and mistake-free football.
Nick Foles (2017 Eagles): Perhaps the most famous example, Foles replaced MVP-candidate Carson Wentz in December and went on a legendary playoff run, winning Super Bowl LII MVP.
Earl Morrall (1972 Dolphins): Started the majority of the Dolphins’ perfect season after Bob Griese was injured, proving that a strong team can carry a backup deep into the postseason.

The Broncos will hope to replicate these historic feats, relying on their defense—which forced five turnovers against Josh Allen—to carry the load while Stidham manages the game.

Tactical Shift: From Nix to Stidham

The transition from Bo Nix to Jarrett Stidham will require a significant adjustment in the Broncos’ offensive game plan for the AFC Championship.

The Loss of Mobility: Bo Nix was a dual-threat weapon. His ability to extend plays with his legs and execute designed runs (like the one he was injured on) forced defenses to play “11-on-11” football. Linebackers had to spy on him, opening up passing lanes. Stidham, while mobile enough to move in the pocket, is not a designated runner. The Broncos will likely scrap the designed QB runs and read-options that were staples of the Nix offense.

A Return to Traditional West Coast Offense: With Stidham, expect Payton to revert to a more traditional, rhythm-based passing attack. Quick slants, screen passes to running backs, and intermediate crossing routes will be prioritized to get the ball out of Stidham’s hands before the pass rush arrives. This style suits Stidham, who is known for his accuracy and “mental aptitude” rather than raw physical dominance.

The Role of the Defense: The burden of winning now shifts squarely to Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph. The Broncos’ defense, which just dismantled the high-powered Bills offense with two interceptions and two fumbles recoveries, must now play nearly perfect football. They cannot rely on the offense to win a shootout; they must keep the game low-scoring and provide Stidham with short fields via turnovers.

Player Profile: Who is Jarrett Stidham?

For many fans, Jarrett Stidham is an unknown quantity. Here is the dossier on the man tasked with saving the Broncos’ season:

Age: 29
Draft: 2019, 4th Round (New England Patriots)
NFL Experience: 7th Season
Career Starts: 4 (Record: 1-3)
Broncos Tenure: Signed in 2023. Started the final two games of the 2023 season after Russell Wilson was benched.
Key Stat: In his last start for Denver (Week 17, 2023), he managed a 16-9 win over the Chargers, throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown.

Stidham is widely regarded as a “high-IQ” quarterback. He lacks the elite arm strength of a Josh Allen or the explosiveness of a Lamar Jackson, but he processes defenses quickly. In a high-pressure AFC Championship game, minimizing mistakes will be more valuable than making highlight-reel plays.

Why It Matters

This news fundamentally alters the landscape of the NFL playoffs. For the common fan, it transforms the Broncos from a surging powerhouse into a massive underdog story. If Stidham can lead Denver to the Super Bowl, it will be one of the greatest coaching achievements of Sean Payton’s Hall of Fame career.

Moreover, this situation highlights the brutality of the sport. Bo Nix, having arguably the greatest rookie season in NFL history, is robbed of his crowning moment by a single awkward tackle. It serves as a reminder that in the NFL, fortune can change on a dime, and the “next man up” is not just a cliché—it is a survival requirement.

As Denver prepares to host either the Houston Texans or the New England Patriots, the entire city holds its breath. Can the backup become the hero? Next Sunday, we find out.