Who is Broncos backup QB? Depth chart behind Jarrett Stidham
- - Who is Broncos backup QB? Depth chart behind Jarrett Stidham
Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYJanuary 26, 2026 at 2:52 AM
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Bo Nix started every game during the Denver Broncos' run to the 2025 AFC championship game. To get to Super Bowl 60, the team will need to rely on a different quarterback to carry it.
That will be Jarrett Stidham, who is set to take over for Nix after the 25-year-old quarterback suffered a season-ending ankle fracture in the team's 33-30 divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills.
Stidham, 29, is in his third season as the Broncos' backup quarterback. The seven-year veteran has made just four starts during his career to date and has completed 59.4% of his passes for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions across action with the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and the Broncos.
Stidham will need to shake off rust quickly as he starts the AFC championship game. He hasn't attempted a pass since the 2023 NFL season and has only logged 18 snaps across his two seasons as Nix's backup.
How does the rest of the Broncos depth chart stack up now that Stidham has been elevated into the starting role? Here's what to know about the team's backup plan at quarterback.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Who is the Broncos backup QB?
Sam Ehlinger became the Broncos' backup quarterback in wake of Nix's injury.
Ehlinger, 27, joined the Broncos on a one-year deal during the 2025 NFL offseason. He spent the first four years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts after being a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft following a standout career at Texas.
Ehlinger played sparingly during his time in Indianapolis. He made three starts during the 2022 NFL season after veterans Matt Ryan and Nick Foles struggled. Ehlinger went 0-3 across his starts while completing 63.4% of his passes for 573 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions and adding 87 yards on 17 carries.
Like Stidham, it has been a long time since Ehlinger has seen meaningful game action. The five-year veteran last attempted a pass during the 2022 season and didn't play a snap during the 2024 or 2025 seasons.
Ehlinger was, however, signed to the Broncos' 53-man roster for the playoffs and served as the team's emergency, third-string quarterback during the team's win over the Bills.
Broncos QB depth chart
The Broncos have three healthy quarterbacks in their organization after Nix's injury. They are as follows:
Jarrett Stidham
Sam Ehlinger
Ben DiNucci (practice squad)
DiNucci was signed to the practice squad ahead of the AFC championship game to ensure Denver would have three healthy quarterbacks available for the remainder of the postseason. He spent the 2023 season on the Broncos' practice squad, making him familiar with Sean Payton's offense.
DiNucci was a seventh-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft. He saw his only action during the 2020 NFL season, when he completed 53.5% of his career passes for 219 yards across three appearances and lost his only start.
The Broncos would need to sign DiNucci to the 53-man roster to allow him to serve as the emergency third quarterback for Sunday's game. If they don't, they will simply role with the duo of Stidham and Ehlinger at quarterback while a position player would serve as the team's emergency option.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Broncos QB depth chart: Who is Jarrett Stidham's backup?
Source: “AOL Sports”
