ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Jarrett Stidham may have tied Bo Nix for the most ink during the Broncos’ offseason and training camp.
But it’s been TV and radio silence for Stidham six weeks into the regular season.
The No. 1 quarterback through the Broncos’ offseason program, Stidham was also No. 1 through the first week of training camp and was right there with Bo Nix in the Broncos’ starting quarterback competition through the first two preseason games.
Where is he now? Six weeks into the regular season, Stidham has still not taken one snap. He’s dressed in full uniform on game day. He’s been prepared to play. His arm is loose and strong. His mind has command of the playbook.
Yet, he still hasn’t played. Been there, done that for Stidham, a backup for all but four end-of-season starts in his six-year NFL career.
“Same routine, same schedule, staying ready,’’ Stidham said about his backup job in 2024 as it was during his rookie year of 2019 to Tom Brady in New England, to Cam Newton with the Patriots in 2020, to Derek Carr during his fourth year of 2022 in Las Vegas, to Russell Wilson during his fifth season of 2023 with the Broncos, and now to Nix in his sixth year of 2024. (Stidham was down with a back injury for most of 2021 when Mac Jones was the Patriots’ quarterback.) “Like I said last year, whether it’s backing up Tom Brady, Derek Carr, Russell, Bo, it’s kind of always been the same thing.”
A noticeable difference this time is Stidham is older, and has considerably more NFL seasoning, than Nix, the quarterback he backs up. In the years before, the starter ahead of him had more experience that Stidham did.
“I wouldn’t say it’s drastically different,’’ Stidham said. “I would say Bo, Zach [Wilson, the Broncos’ No. 3 QB] and I probably spend more time together. Just going over things, or ‘Hey, how do you guys see this?’ or, ‘What do think here?’
“Where in the past those veteran guys had been in the league a long time so they all had their own routine they would stick to.”
There isn’t much practice time during the week, anymore, and teams generally give the No. 1 quarterback all the work during the 11 on 11 periods. But Stidham throws enough to keep his arm right.
“It kind of depends on how the scout team is from week to week,’’ Stidham said. “If it’s a heavier throwing team you get your work in. If it’s a running team you get on the side and get your throws in between periods or after practice.”
Stidham’s impression of Nix through his first five games as a pro?
“He’s been awesome,’’ Stidham said. “He’s obviously still learning a lot, but he’s been super impressive. I’ve just been trying to help him as much as possible. He’s bright, super smart. Works his butt off. We’re in here early every morning, stay late at night trying to get things done. But, yeah, Bo, how he’s playing doesn’t surprise me one bit. He’s doing a great job.”
Reynolds out with finger injury
Broncos receiver Josh Reynolds underwent finger surgery this week, leaving him with an injury that could sideline him a week or four. Reynolds suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Broncos’ 34-18 win over the Raiders last week but stayed in the game and made a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
With Reynolds, the Broncos are expected to play rookie Devaughn Vele, who had 8 catches in the season opener at Seattle, but hasn’t played since because of a rib injury and later the coach’s decision.
Two offensive line starters down
Starting center Luke Wattenberg and recent right tackle starter Alex Palczewski won’t play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers because of high ankle sprains. Wattenberg’s injury appears to be more severe than Palczewski’s, but neither practiced this week.
Alex Forsyth will get his first NFL start at center. He was Nix’s center at Oregon in 2022. Matt Peart, a veteran backup, is expected to get his eighth career start, first with the Broncos, at right tackle in place of Palczewski, who replaced the injured Mike McGlinchey.
