Broncos QB Battle: Stidham vs. Ehlinger Heats Up

The Denver Broncos are hosting a significant quarterback competition this summer, focusing on the battle for the QB2 position behind starter Bo Nix. Nix, who is recovering from an ankle injury that ended the Broncos' 2025 playoff hopes, makes the backup role critical. Head coach Sean Payton has stated there is open competition, specifically highlighting the contest between Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger.

Stidham has been the primary backup for three years, but the Broncos re-signed Ehlinger to a one-year, $2 million deal in March, intensifying the competition. Payton's comments suggest Stidham should not become complacent, a shift from previous seasons where Stidham's backup role was more solidified. Ehlinger secured his spot on the roster last season after an 11th-hour performance in the preseason finale.

A key factor influencing this year's competition appears to be Stidham's performance in the AFC Championship Game. Despite facing unprecedented pressure and challenging weather conditions, his statistical output was lackluster, raising questions about his reliability as a backup in high-stakes games.

The Broncos organization has publicly expressed confidence in their quarterback room, which includes Nix, Stidham, and Ehlinger. With Nix's injury recovery timeline somewhat clouded by a recent cleanup procedure, the importance of a strong backup is amplified, making the Stidham vs. Ehlinger showdown a pivotal storyline heading into training camp.