Who is Jarrett Stidham? All about Denver’s AFC Championship Game starter and the former Auburn QB who built a steady NFL career

Jarrett Stidham is not a name that trends on Sundays, but he has carved out something that is harder to achieve than it looks. He has stayed in the NFL at quarterback without being a star. In a league that burns through passers quickly, that matters. Stidham grew up in Stephenville, Texas, a place where football is taken seriously early. He was a well-regarded high school quarterback and began his college career at Baylor. That stint did not last long. The program went through major instability, and Stidham chose to leave rather than wait things out. It was an early lesson in adapting. The move to Auburn gave him a reset. Now, after years of serving as a reliable backup, the Broncos quarterback is set to start the AFC Championship Game after Bo Nix’s injury.

How Stidham became a trusted NFL backup

At Auburn, Stidham became the starter and played two full seasons in the SEC. He was not a Heisman candidate, but he was steady. Over 26 starts, he threw for more than 6,200 yards and 36 touchdowns. More than the numbers, scouts liked how he handled pressure and how he ran an offense against top competition.
That led to the New England Patriots selecting him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Being drafted by New England came with expectations, even for a backup. Stidham spent time learning behind Tom Brady and later Cam Newton, absorbing one of the most detail-heavy systems in the league. He did not play much, but he earned trust by preparing the right way.
His next real opportunity came with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he reunited with Josh McDaniels. Late in the 2022 season, Stidham was asked to start after Derek Carr was benched. The Raiders did not turn things around, but Stidham showed toughness and composure, including a strong game against the 49ers that put him back on the radar. Since 2023, he has been with the Denver Broncos, doing what he has done best. Study. Support the starter. Stay ready. Coaches value him because he understands his role and does not make things harder than they need to be.
Off the field, Stidham keeps his life simple. He is married to Kennedy Brown Stidham, a former college soccer player, and they keep things private. No spotlight chasing. No noise. Jarrett Stidham’s career is not about highlights. It is about surviving at quarterback in the NFL. That alone makes his story worth understanding.


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