The Ultimate Backup Story: Can Jarrett Stidham Join the Ranks of NFL Postseason Legends?

When the final whistle blew on Denver's thrilling 33-30 overtime victory against Buffalo in the Divisional Round, the Broncos had secured their first AFC Championship Game appearance in a decade. But the celebration came with heartbreak. On the second-to-last play of overtime, quarterback Bo Nix broke a bone in his right ankle, ending his remarkable sophomore season and thrusting backup Jarrett Stidham into the spotlight for Sunday's championship showdown against the New England Patriots.

Stidham's situation is remarkable even by backup quarterback standards. The 29-year-old hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since January 7, 2024, and has just four career NFL starts. He appeared in only one game this season, playing four snaps including a kneel-down in Week 8. Now, with less than a week of preparation, he'll be one win away from Super Bowl LX.

"Stiddy's ready to go," head coach Sean Payton said after the Bills game. "I feel like I've got a two who's capable of starting for a number of teams, and I know he feels the same way."

From Stephenville to Auburn: Building a Winner's Mentality

Stidham's journey to this moment began in Stephenville, Texas, where he starred as a dual-threat quarterback. After initially committing to Baylor, his college career took an unexpected turn when he transferred to Auburn following the 2015 season.

It was on the Plains where Stidham truly established himself. In 2017, he led the Tigers to a 10-4 record and an SEC West Division Championship, engineering victories over both No. 1-ranked Georgia and rival Alabama. The win over Alabama was particularly defining—a 26-14 upset that sent Auburn to the SEC Championship Game. Former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn, who coached Stidham, recently told FOX Sports: "He'll be ready for the moment, I'll tell you that. He's a great competitor and he's been waiting on this moment. I expect him to seize it."

Stidham finished his Auburn career with a 18-9 record as a starter, completing 470 of 739 passes (63.6%) for 5,952 yards with 36 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. He set an Auburn record with 162 consecutive pass attempts without an interception and capped his college career with a Music City Bowl MVP performance, throwing for 373 yards and five touchdowns in a 63-14 victory over Purdue.

Chip Lindsey, Stidham's offensive coordinator at Auburn and now at Missouri, emphasized his former quarterback's preparedness: "Jarrett's a smart guy, and he's going to prepare like he's the starter every week. With us, the moment was never too big for him. He was calm, cool, collected and stayed in the moment."

The NFL Journey: Learning from the Best

The New England Patriots selected Stidham in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, where he spent his first three seasons backing up Tom Brady and later Cam Newton. After a stint with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, Stidham signed with Denver in 2023, reuniting with Payton in his first season as Broncos head coach.

While his NFL playing time has been limited, Stidham has used every opportunity to learn. He credits his time with Brady in New England as pivotal to his development, and Payton has consistently praised Stidham's professionalism and readiness. In the 2025 preseason, Stidham showcased his abilities, completing 30 of 38 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions and a 143.0 passer rating.

The Broncos will lean heavily on their league-best offensive line and top-ranked defense to support Stidham. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton captured the team's mindset: "We have a locker room that's full of guys that are ready to take advantage of what's in front of us. We have a huge opportunity in front of us."

The Exclusive Club: Backup Quarterbacks Who Became Legends

Stidham's challenge is daunting, but history shows it's far from impossible. Several backup quarterbacks have seized unexpected opportunities and etched their names into NFL folklore.

The most relevant comparison may be Hostetler, who had just four career starts when he took over late in the 1990 season—exactly the same number as Stidham. At age 29, Hostetler inherited a 13-3 team with a strong defense and efficient offense. He didn't need to be spectacular; he needed to be steady. Hostetler completed 20 of 32 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' 20-19 Super Bowl victory over Buffalo.

Foles' 2017 run offers another blueprint. After replacing Wentz, he had six weeks to prepare for the playoffs—far more than Stidham's one week. Yet Foles thrived in the postseason, culminating in his legendary performance against New England where he caught a touchdown pass on the now-iconic "Philly Special" play while throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns.

Warner's story remains the ultimate backup-to-legend tale. Undrafted and working at a grocery store just years before his NFL breakthrough, Warner transformed the Rams' offense into "The Greatest Show on Turf" and became the only undrafted player to win both NFL and Super Bowl MVP awards in the same season.

The Stakes: More Than Just a Game

For Stidham, Sunday represents the opportunity he's spent seven NFL seasons preparing for. He's maintained his readiness even when pass attempts seemed unlikely, studying film and running scout team reps with the same intensity as a starter.

"This is not about myself, first of all," Stidham said at his AFC Championship press conference. "At the end of the day, I'm not focused on anything but Sunday. What is my job on each and every play? How can I help my teammates succeed on Sunday?"

That team-first mentality mirrors the approach of successful backup-turned-champions. Dilfer managed the game for Baltimore's historically great defense. Hostetler leaned on a powerful offensive line and efficient running game. Each understood their role wasn't to recreate the starter's style but to execute the game plan and avoid costly mistakes.

Ironically, Stidham will face the Patriots—the team that drafted him and where he spent his formative NFL years. It's a storyline that adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling narrative. Nick Foles, who famously defeated New England in Super Bowl LII, recently trolled the Patriots on social media, posting: "They struggle against backup QBs."

Can Lightning Strike Again?

The Broncos enter as significant underdogs, but Payton's historical perspective offers hope. "Historically speaking, all bets weren't off with Hostetler, they weren't off in Philly," the coach said, referencing successful backup quarterback runs. "We lost Drew Brees at midseason against the Rams, and Teddy Bridgewater won five in a row."

Stidham faces unique challenges. Unlike Foles or Hostetler, he has minimal recent game experience and just days to prepare. He'll start his first career playoff game in the conference championship—a feat requiring nerves of steel and flawless execution.

Yet the Broncos possess the ingredients that enabled past backup success stories. Their offensive line ranks among the NFL's best, providing the protection Stidham needs. Their defense can create short fields and limit opposing offenses. The home crowd at Mile High will provide an electric atmosphere and altitude advantage.

Most importantly, Stidham has the belief of his teammates and coaches. Bo Nix, despite his devastating injury, expressed confidence in his backup: "I couldn't be more confident in Jarrett," Nix wrote in his Instagram post after surgery. "I can't express how much I believe in them."

The Ultimate Question

When Jarrett Stidham steps onto the field Sunday afternoon, he'll carry not just his team's Super Bowl hopes but the weight of opportunity. He's one of the few quarterbacks in NFL history to start a conference championship game with so little experience. The comparison to Hostetler is almost exact—four career starts, age 29, thrust into the biggest game of his life.

History suggests miracles can happen. Warner went from grocery store clerk to Hall of Famer. Brady transformed from sixth-round pick to greatest of all time. Foles evolved from journeyman to Super Bowl MVP. Each seized their moment when it arrived.

Stidham has prepared for this his entire career, from leading Auburn to upset victories over top-ranked opponents to studying under Tom Brady to earning Sean Payton's trust over two seasons in Denver. He won't have the mobility of Bo Nix or the resume of veteran starters, but he has something equally valuable—a team that believes in him and a lifetime of preparation for one defining moment.

Can Jarrett Stidham join the exclusive club of backup quarterbacks who became postseason legends? We'll find out Sunday when he attempts to do what only a select few have done before—lead his team to the Super Bowl against all odds.

The ultimate backup story is about to be written. One way or another, we'll remember this AFC Championship Game for years to come.

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Sources:

[1] "My preparation hasn't changed one bit': Ever-ready Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham focused on delivering for teammates in AFC Championship Game" - DenverBroncos.com, January 21, 2026. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/my-preparation-hasn-t-changed-one-bit-ever-ready-broncos-qb-jarrett-stidham-focused-on-delivering-for-teammates-in-afc-championship-game

[2] "Big Picture: Jarrett Stidham is 'Ready for the Moment,' Just Ask His College Coaches" - FOX Sports, January 21, 2026. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/big-picture-jarrett-stidham-ready-moment-just-ask-his-college-coaches

[3] "Jarrett Stidham College football career, stats, highlights, records" - NCAA.com, January 18, 2026. https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2026-01-18/jarrett-stidham-college-football-career-stats-highlights-records

[4] "QB Bo Nix suffers season-ending ankle injury, QB Jarrett Stidham to start AFC Championship Game" - DenverBroncos.com, January 18, 2026. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/qb-bo-nix-suffers-season-ending-ankle-injury-qb-jarrett-stidham-to-start-afc-championship-game

[5] "Eight Backup QBs Who Helped Teams to Super Bowl Wins" - Sports Illustrated, January 22, 2026. https://www.si.com/nfl/playoffs/eight-backup-quarterbacks-helped-teams-super-bowl-wins

[6] "From Nick Foles to Tom Brady: The exclusive backup QB club Jarrett Stidham hopes to join" - NRToday.com, January 21, 2026. https://www.nrtoday.com/from-nick-foles-to-tom-brady-the-exclusive-backup-qb-club-jarrett-stidham-hopes-to/article_ed2936bb-d5fd-476f-83a0-cd5115b70866.html

[7] "Nick Foles trolls Patriots, consoles Broncos: 'They struggle against backup QBs'" - CBS Sports, January 18, 2026. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nick-foles-trolls-patriots-broncos-jarrett-stidham-backup-qb/

[8] "Broncos QB Bo Nix breaks bone in right ankle, out for playoffs" - ESPN, January 18, 2026. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47645966/broncos-qb-bo-nix-fractures-ankle-rest-playoffs