The Unexpected Challenge

The quarterback standing between the New England Patriots and a trip to Super Bowl LX is a signal-caller who hasn’t attempted a pass in a game since 2023. This unexpected situation sets the stage for an intriguing AFC Championship game, where the Patriots will face the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The game will feature a new starting quarterback for the Broncos, Jarrett Stidham, after their original starter, Bo Nix, suffered a broken bone in his ankle during the final minutes of Saturday’s overtime victory over the Bills.

Stidham’s Role in the Broncos’ Offense

Stidham’s role as the new starting quarterback raises questions about how much the Broncos’ offense can operate effectively without Nix, who led the team with eight game-winning drives this season alone. Despite this challenge, Stidham has some familiarity with the Patriots, having started his NFL career in Foxborough after being drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Maye’s Perspective on Stidham

Drake Maye, the Patriots’ quarterback, shared his thoughts on Stidham during a recent interview on “WEEI Afternoons.” Maye mentioned that Stidham reached out to him before the start of the 2025 season, showing his character and support.

“I know that Jarrett’s a great player. He texted me before the season, Jarrett did,” Maye said on WEEI. “It just shows what type of guy he is. He wished me the best of luck. So, I wish him the best of luck and looking forward to seeing how he does. Hopefully we come out with a win.”

Potential Return to the Patriots

Interestingly, Stidham had the possibility of joining the Patriots for a second stint with the team before the 2025 season. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that the team considered Stidham as a potential backup option for Maye before signing Joshua Dobbs.

“I guess it was kind of ironic speaking with his agent,” Vrabel said. “Like, ‘Well, if you don’t want your starter to get hurt, sign Jarrett. That was before [Saturday].”

Stidham’s Career Stats

Stidham has a mixed record in his four career NFL starts (two for Raiders, two for Broncos in 2023), completing 117 of 197 passes for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions. It’s worth noting that the Broncos were the only team this season that didn’t have their backup QB attempt a pass during regular season action.

A New Era for the Patriots

Now, the ball will be in Stidham’s hands as the Broncos try to put an end to New England’s impressive turnaround season. New England failed to win a playoff game in Denver on three occasions during Tom Brady’s 20-year run with the Patriots. However, Maye isn’t concerned about past results as the 2025 Patriots — who went 8-0 on the road during the regular season — look to take care of business on Sunday against the Broncos.

“It’s a great place to play,” Maye said of playing in Denver. “I know the fans are great and I know they’ve got a great team. They’ve got some great players. And I know the altitude is a little different for us and some of the skill players running around.

“But I think the big thing is it’s a different team. It’s a new team — the past is in the past. And I think we’re living in the present and not worried about really anything else. We’re worried about Sunday’s game and control what we can do as the team that we are this year: the 2025 Patriots.”

Final Thoughts

As the Patriots prepare for their showdown with the Broncos, the focus remains on the present and the opportunity to make history. With Stidham at the helm for Denver, the game promises to be a thrilling contest that could determine who advances to the Super Bowl. The stakes are high, and both teams are ready to give their all in pursuit of glory.