Who is the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback for the AFC Championship?

Jarrett Stidham is expected to start for the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game due to an injury to Bo Nix.

Which NFL legend did Jarrett Stidham's playoff start mirror?

Jarrett Stidham's situation is similar to Roger Staubach's, who made his first start of the season in the 1972 NFC Championship.

Home / Sports / Backup QB Steps Up in Historic NFL Playoff Run

Backup QB Steps Up in Historic NFL Playoff Run

Q: What makes Jarrett Stidham's playoff start unique?

Stidham is only the second quarterback since 1950 to start a playoff game without any passing yards for the season.

23 Jan

•

Summary

Jarrett Stidham to make first start of season in AFC Championship.
He's only the second QB since 1950 to start a playoff game with zero passing yards.
Stidham's start mirrors Roger Staubach's unique 1972 playoff situation.

Backup QB Steps Up in Historic NFL Playoff Run

The Denver Broncos will rely on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham for their upcoming AFC Championship Game. This follows an injury to starter Bo Nix during their playoff victory over the Chicago Bears.

Stidham's start is highly unusual, being his first of the 2025 season and only the fifth of his career. He has played just four snaps this season and has not thrown a pass since January 7, 2024. This makes him only the second quarterback since 1950 to start a playoff game without a single passing yard for the season, a feat previously achieved by Joe Webb in 2012.

Historically, Stidham's situation draws parallels to Roger Staubach, who also made his first start of the season in a conference championship game in 1972. Other quarterbacks have also made their first start of a season in the playoffs, including Taylor Heinicke, Connor Cook, Frank Reich, and Gary Danielson.