Jarrett Stidham

Stidham is technically the incumbent starter in Denver, but it’s just a matter of time until Bo Nix, the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft, takes over. And even if Nix takes longer than expected to develop, Stidham may have to contend with Zach Wilson, for whom the Broncos traded in April. Any scenario is plausible for Week 1, from starting to being the third-string QB. Stidham started Denver's final two games of last season amid the Russell Wilson benching fiasco and did not impress. He was on target with just 65.2 percent of his attempts -- 50th among 53 QBs with at least 60 attempts -- and completed just two of his 10 throws of 20-plus yards. If Stidham is under center come Week 1, he may have even less to work with than he had last season after WR Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns. Courtland Sutton is still around, though, and the Broncos signed Josh Reynolds, who will compete with second-year pro Marvin Mims and rookie fourth-round pick Troy Franklin. Stidham has simply adequate arm strength and doesn’t run much, so he'll need help from his supporting cast and coach Sean Payton just to have value in two-QB leagues if he ends up starting.

Stidham started in the Raiders' final two games of the 2022 season after Derek Carr was benched, and he turned his solid performance into a two-year contract with Denver. The 2019 fourth-rounder figures to be the favorite for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, backing up Russell Wilson. Wilson has been a model of health throughout most of his career, but he did undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this offseason. With all signs pointing to a complete recovery ahead of the 2023 campaign, Stidham won't likely see meaningful playing time barring an injury to Wilson. The fourth-year veteran has more in-game experience than fellow QBs Jarrett Guarantano and Ben DiNucci, which should help him to secure the Broncos' primary backup spot.

Stidham was traded from New England to Las Vegas this offseason, reuniting the 2019 fourth-rounder with his former offensive coordinator and new Raiders head coach, Josh McDaniels. Following the August trade of Nick Mullens Stidham is slated to serve as the team's top backup quarterback behind Derek Carr.

As recently as last spring, it appeared as though Stidham, who the Patriots took in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, was viewed as the successor to long-time franchise quarterback Tom Brady. However, the team signed Cam Newton in late June, and the 2015 NFL MVP officially landed the starting job by Week 1. Even when Newton missed his Week 4 start after the team placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list, it was veteran signal-caller Brian Hoyer who drew the starting nod in his place. Though Stidham did end the campaign as Newton's top backup, it was clear heading into the offseason that the Patriots didn't view him as the team's long-term answer at QB. First, Newton was re-signed. Then, New England took Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Finally, Hoyer was brought back by the team in May. While Newton ended up being released in late August, Stidham is slated to miss time early on as recovers from a July back procedure that.

After being taken in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Stidham was a little-used rookie backup last season. He was, however, penciled in as the Patriots' starting QB after Tom Brady bolted to Tampa Bay. Alas, New England signed Cam Newton in late June and the 2015 NFL MVP officially landed the starting job in early September. That said, Newton has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, so Stidham waits in the wings in the event that Newton gets hurt again. The Patriots' patient approach to their post-Tom-Brady quarterback situation might be interpreted as a sign of confidence in Stidham, who was sharp last preseason but only saw mop-up duty (four pass attempts, one pick-six) once the games counted.

Franchise QB Tom Brady is aging gracefully, so the Patriots have yet to prioritize preparing the 41-year-old's replacement. That mindset was evident during the 2019 NFL Draft, when the team waited until the fourth round to select Stidham. With no end in sight for Brady, whose rigorous training and nutritional routine has helped him hold off the inevitable, it looks like the Patriots can afford to take it slow with Stidham, who NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah noted "spins it as well or better than anybody in (the) entire 2019 draft class." Stidham was able to supplant veteran Brian Hoyer after a solid summer and for now, at least, he's Brady's top backup and heir apparent.