Jarrett Stidham received understanding and support after being thrust into a difficult situation replacing Bo Nix during the AFC Championship Game.
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II believes Stidham was set up with little chance to succeed when he had to step in during the high-stakes matchup against the New England Patriots. With minimal playing time throughout the season, Stidham was suddenly asked to perform in one of the fastest and most intense games of the year, making the challenge even greater.
Surtain explained that no amount of preparation could truly ready a backup quarterback for that kind of moment, especially when stepping in for Nix, who had been leading the team all season. The Broncos ultimately fell 10–7, missing out on a Super Bowl opportunity.
The situation became even more emotional following Denver’s overtime win against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. While the team initially celebrated the victory, the mood quickly shifted when news broke that Nix had suffered a broken ankle, ruling him out for the AFC title game. According to Surtain, the locker room went from excitement to heartbreak almost instantly, as players processed the loss of their starting quarterback.
The injury also raised longer-term concerns, given Nix’s past ankle issues dating back to his college career. Although he is expected to return by the start of the next season, there remains some uncertainty about his durability.
Meanwhile, Stidham’s performance in the championship game left doubts among fans about the team’s depth at quarterback, as Denver now looks ahead while hoping for a healthy return from their starter.
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