Jarrett Stidham understands he won't be the Denver Broncos starting quarterback to open the season, with rookie Bo Nix winning that title. But that doesn't mean he has to be thrilled about it.
Following Sunday's preseason finale, Stidham said he'll aid the rookie but believes he's a starting-caliber quarterback.
"First of all, obviously I was very disappointed," Stidham said of not winning the starting gig. "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. Like I said earlier, I'll be ready to go if I need to be. Like I said, I have no doubts that I'm a starting-caliber quarterback in this league."
A former fourth-round pick by New England, Stidham has started two games each of the past two seasons. At the end of 2023, he had a chance to impress Sean Payton after taking over for a benched Russell Wilson. The 28-year-old performed adequately but didn't shine to the point that the club would avoid taking a first-round rookie. Once Nix was drafted, Stidham's ultimate fate was decided in Denver.
"I think they know what I can do," he 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 is in line to back up Nix, but Payton noted that he expects to keep Zach Wilson on the roster as well after the former first-round pick flashed during the preseason.
"We have enough money. I understand the question. We feel comfortable with those three quarterbacks," the coach said. "I think I have told you already, but I see the three of them making it."
