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Broncos QB Battle: Stidham Takes Early Lead
17 Aug
Summary
- Broncos dominated Falcons 27-7 in preseason opener.
- Jarrett Stidham looks strong as backup QB, outplaying Sam Ehlinger.
- Stidham's performance suggests he's solidified his role as No. 2 QB.

The Denver Broncos launched their preseason with a commanding 27-7 road win against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham, vying for the backup role, demonstrated a strong command of the offense. He completed nine of his 15 passes for 131 yards and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jaleel McLaughlin.
Sam Ehlinger also participated, completing 10 of 14 passes for 67 yards and adding 21 rushing yards. However, a potential deep touchdown pass was underthrown and nearly resulted in an interception. Despite Ehlinger's effort, Stidham's performance appears to have given him a significant advantage in securing the No. 2 quarterback position behind starter Bo Nix, especially with Nix's injury history.
Coach Sean Payton's strategy regarding the backup quarterback competition is a point of discussion. Some speculate that Ehlinger's playing time might be intended to showcase his abilities to other teams for a potential trade. Nevertheless, Stidham's performance in this preseason opener suggests he is the Broncos' preferred choice for the backup quarterback role heading into the regular season.