The Denver Broncos were dealt crushing news following a thrilling overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the divisional playoffs on Saturday. Following the game, it was announced that a broken bone in his ankle has ended the season for Bo Nix.
But Broncos head coach Sean Payton has been around long enough to know that he can't hang his head now, not when there's work to be done.
The Broncos will start Jarrett Stidham against either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans in the AFC Championship Game, and throughout the coming week, the Broncos will be given little chance to advance to the Super Bowl as a result. Payton isn't having it.
While addressing the media following the game, Payton showed great confidence in his backup quarterback, a player he has been happy to have on the roster during his time as the team's head coach.
"He's ready. I've said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I have a 2 that's capable of, a number of teams. I know he feels the same way. So watch out. Just watch. He's experienced, he's played in games", said Payton.
Sam Ehlinger will serve as the Broncos' No. 2 quarterback as things have taken a drastic turn for the Broncos.
But Payton is big on Stidham. After becoming the team's head coach ahead of the 2023 season, Stidham was one of the very first free agents he signed. Later that season, he benched Russell Wilson for the final two games in favor of Stidham, who knows Payton's offense up and down.
It's a tough situation for the Broncos; it would be for any team. But backup quarterbacks are quite capable of playing well and winning games in today's league and you see it on a regular basis. The Broncos would obviously prefer to have Nix going into the AFC Championship, but there will several players and coaches within the organization who confidently feel like the team really isn't losing much with Stidham in there.
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