Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos backup QB offers candid reply about losing starting job to rookie Bo Nix

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 26, 2024 10:58 AM ET

Losing the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job to rookie Bo Nix seemed to leave a bitter taste in Jarrett Stidham's mouth.

"First of all, obviously, I was very disappointed," Stidham said Sunday, via KUSA-TV in Denver. "I know I'm a starting quarterback in this league. I have zero doubts about that, and it just didn't shake out my way. But I know what kind of player I am, what kind of person I am. Like I said earlier, I'll be ready to go if I need to be, and like I said, I have no doubts that I'm a starting-caliber quarterback in this league."

"I have no doubts that I'm a starting-caliber Quarterback in this league"

Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham's reaction to Bo Nix being named the starter. #9sports pic.twitter.com/hF2RlvII53
— 9NEWS Sports Denver (@9NEWSSports) August 26, 2024

Coming out of high school in 2015, 247Sports rated Stidham the No. 4 QB in the country ahead of Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson. However, the Baylor and Auburn product hasn't fulfilled the promise he showed earlier in his career.

In four seasons, the 28-year-old has split time with the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Broncos, completing 59.4% of his passes for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also has a 1-3 regular-season record as a starter.

In three preseason games, Stidham didn't look like the answer. He completed 13-of-22 passes for 130 yards, zero TDs and two interceptions, posting a below-average 38.1 passer rating.

Nix, meanwhile, showed why the Broncos took him with the 12th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. In two preseason games, the 24-year-old completed 23-of-30 passes for 205 yards and two TDs, posting a superb 116.7 passer rating.

Bo Nix looking comfortable out there

He finds Tim Patrick for the @Broncos TD!

: #GBvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/zUCHmJT6Cp
— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2024

While Stidham's frustration is understandable, Nix clearly gives the Broncos a better chance to win, and they're probably banking on him becoming the face of the franchise.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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