Jarrett Stidham’s Unsuccessful Turn as Broncos’ Starter

Jarrett Stidham, once considered the hero of the Denver Broncos, faced a difficult turn in his career during Sunday’s AFC title game against the New England Patriots. In a game that ended with a 10-7 loss, Stidham transitioned from savior to villain, marking the end of Denver’s postseason journey.

Stidham had only started five games in seven years before being thrust into the spotlight due to Bo Nix’s season-ending injury. His performance in the early stages of the game was promising, especially after completing a 50-yard pass that moved the Broncos into the Patriots’ red zone. He capped off that drive with a touchdown, which would be the team’s only score of the game.

As the game progressed and snow began to fall at Empower Field, the Broncos’ offense struggled significantly in the second half. Stidham threw a critical interception on Denver’s final drive and failed to get the passing game going on consecutive three-and-outs. The Broncos also missed a crucial field goal attempt, leading to their defeat in an unpredictable match that could have gone either way.

The Broncos’ defense managed to hold down the fort against MVP frontrunner Drake Maye, limiting him to just 86 passing yards and one rushing touchdown. However, when the game was on the line, Stidham visibly struggled under pressure.

Reflections on Key Plays

In his postgame press conference, Stidham reflected on two key plays that impacted the game: the failed fourth-down conversion and his costly fumble in the second quarter.

“I felt like the first half we really moved the ball well at times,” Stidham said. “You get an opportunity, fourth-and-1, convert and try to go up 14 if you can. … Just didn’t work out on that one play, and that’s just football.”

He also addressed his fumble, which led to a quick Patriots touchdown. “Obviously I can’t put our team in a bad position like that,” Stidham said. “The pressure, he just got up on me real fast and I was trying to get rid of it. Like I said, I can’t put the ball in a position like that, so that was completely on me. … I thought I had thrown it forwards… probably should’ve just eaten the sack anyway.”

When asked about the impact of the snowy conditions on the Broncos’ offense, Stidham refused to use the weather as an excuse. “The conditions are what they are,” he continued. “Both teams were playing in it, so I think we only had a handful of plays in the third quarter when we were going into wind that way. In the fourth quarter, it was just back and forth and back and forth and trying to make plays. Like I said, the conditions are what they are.”

Support from Bo Nix

Stidham mentioned having a private locker room conversation with Bo Nix after the loss, noting that Nix had been very supportive throughout the week. This support highlighted the camaraderie between the two quarterbacks despite the challenges they faced.

Stidham finished the game with 133 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception while taking three sacks. Considering it was his first start for the Broncos in the 2025 season, the performance was somewhat average. Despite his history as an underdog—having beaten top-ranked teams like Georgia and Alabama in 2017—Stidham couldn’t replicate the same success in this high-stakes matchup.

The 14-3 Broncos will end their season as unexpected AFC West champions, but they fell short of their Super Bowl dreams. Their journey was marked by moments of hope and heartbreak, ultimately concluding with a painful loss to the Patriots.