Each offseason, Chris Simms of NBC Sports ranks his top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.
This year, Simms has a backup Denver Broncos quarterback ranked in the starter range with Jarrett Stidham listed at No. 32 overall. Granted, that would make him the “worst” of 32 potential starters, but a starter nonetheless.
The list of QBs that Stidham is ranked above includes top rookies Bryce Young (No. 38), CJ Stroud (No. 37) and Anthony Richardson (No. 36) and second-year QB Desmond Ridder (No. 40).
Broncos coach Sean Payton seems to agree with Simms’ assessment that Stidham has starting-caliber potential.
“I think he’s a No. 2 whose arrow is moving in a direction where we feel like he can become an NFL starter in our league,” Payton said of Stidham earlier this offseason.
Stidham is set to serve as Denver’s primary backup quarterback this season behind Russell Wilson after signing a two-year deal in March. Wilson missed two games with injuries last season and Stidham started two games for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get on the field at some point this season.
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