Don't expect Broncos HC Sean Payton to consider Richard Sherman's drastic idea after praising backup QB Jarrett Stidham

But is Payton just being bombastic? Stidham, who has played for Denver for three seasons, last started during the 2023 season while replacing a benched Russell Wilson. The 29-year-old QB went 1-1 in two starts, completing 40-of-66 passes for 496 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. He hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since then. 

2019 fourth-round pick Stidham, however, started his career with the New England Patriots, where he learned under former HC Bill Belichick and current offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Interestingly, he also spent time with Brady, which he viewed as extremely beneficial. 

"It was priceless," Stidham told ESPN's Mike Reiss in January 2020. "He's a phenomenal teammate, a phenomenal person, obviously a phenomenal player. There was just so much I got to learn from him. He was obviously very open to me about stuff that he's thought about the game of football and stuff like that."

Stidham — a former Auburn Tigers star — never became Brady's successor, but McDaniels brought him to the Las Vegas Raiders in his second stint as a HC. He spent one season in Vegas before leaving for Denver. That season, he started two games in place of a benched Derek Carr, going 0-2, throwing for 656 yards, four TD passes and three picks. 

Stidham's background with the Patriots and McDaniels has impressed Payton and is one reason he's kept him in Denver. 

"I know how he was coached in New England," Payton said. "I know exactly how he was coached in New England, and then I know how McDaniels felt about him when he brought him from New England to Las Vegas." 

Payton added backup QBs have won Super Bowls, including Nick Foles with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2017 season. Foles, however, attempted 101 passes in the regular season that year. Stidham won't be as fresh, making it even harder for him to prove his coach's claims.