Jarrett Stidham did everything right this offseason.
Stidham organized and hosted offseason passing sessions with teammates in Texas before training camp. He entered the summer listed as QB1 on the Denver Broncos‘ depth chart. He started the first preseason game.
Everyone knew, though, that first-round draft pick Bo Nix was the favorite to win the starting job. And after he impressed through the first two weeks of preseason, Nix was officially named the starter last Wednesday.
Following the Broncos’ preseason finale on Sunday, Stidham was made available to the media for the first time since last week’s QB1 news broke.
“First of all, obviously, I was very disappointed,” Stidham said. “I know I’m a starting quarterback in this league. I have no doubts about that, and it just didn’t shake out my way. I know what kind of player I am, what kind of person I am. … I have no doubts that I’m a starting-caliber quarterback in this league.”
Stidham started Denver’s final two games of the 2023 season after Russell Wilson was benched. The Broncos went 1-1 with Stidham under center.
“I think they know what I can do,” Stidham said. “I think I displayed that last year whenever I was asked to come in and play the last two games, throughout practice, throughout training camp, OTAs, the whole thing. At the end of the day, I’m going to go out there and do what I do. I’m confident in what I can do, and I’ll do whatever I can to help this team.”
Stidham completed 60.6% of his passes for 496 yards with two touchdowns against one interception last year. Two games is not a very large sample size, but Stidham also has a full year of experience in coach Sean Payton’s offense.
“I feel extremely prepared being in the offense for the second year,” Stidham said. “I feel like I have a good rhythm with the guys, I have a good rhythm with Sean when he’s calling plays. I feel super comfortable and extremely ready.”
While he’s disappointed to not have won the starting job, Stidham’s going to be a team-first player. The veteran will continue to help Nix — like he already has — and Stidham will be ready if called on this season.
“I feel like I have a very unique experience, playing behind — in my opinion — the best quarterback to ever play and seeing what that was like day-in and day-out, and being behind some other really, really good players and coaches as well,” Stidham said.
“Obviously, I’m going to do whatever I can to help Bo get prepared. Obviously, he’s never had a real season like this in the NFL. I’m going to help him whatever way I can, and then also be ready to go if I need to be. So [I’m] just ready for the season to get here.”
The Broncos will open the season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8. Denver is considered a five-point underdog in Week 1.
