The Denver Broncos may be close to deciding on a 53-man roster that includes just two quarterbacks: Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham. In that case, Sam Ehlinger could end up on the practice squad.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton opened the floodgates this summer on speculation when he gave a suggestive non-answer on whether Denver would have three QBs on the roster this fall. Payton said it was a good question, but not much else. What he didn't say was more notable.
“If there were like eight roster questions, it’s one of the eight as you’re looking at building your roster," Payton said.
Sounds like QB3 is on the back burner for Payton. There are other, more pressing roster needs that need to be addressed. The secondary could use bodies. Ehlinger might be squeezed out of the numbers game.
The 2017-2021 Auburn connection is the Broncos' lifeline at QB
Nix and Stidham, of course, were the last two quarterbacks to lead Auburn to a winning record. The Tigers had a winning record when Nix went down with an injury in 2021 against Mississippi State in his last game in orange and blue. Together, they position the Broncos in good hands.
Nix had 3,931 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions during the 2025 season. Had he made it to the AFC Championship Game in good health, many believe Denver would've been the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl counterpart this past February.
As for Stidham, he filled in on short notice and nearly knocked off the New England Patriots in a 10-7 loss at Sports Empower Field at Mile High. Stidham might've been in over his head against Mike Macdonald's stout defense had he led the Broncos to the big game. Still, he showed enough about his leadership on the penultimate stage in January that not bringing him back would've been massively unpopular with Stidham's teammates. Payton did well to avoid that situation entirely.
Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham don't have forever to get it done in Denver
There were some very interesting offseason Aaron Rodgers rumors connecting the 42-year-old with Denver. They went nowhere, and Rodgers is now back with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, the reasons for Payton's interest were fascinating.
The thinking was that if Nix wasn't healthy enough to be back at 100% this season, he could sit a year behind Rodgers as Payton goes all in for a championship. Where that would've left Stidham is anyone's guess.
If that's how close Payton was to a drastic decision just a few short months ago, perhaps Nix and Stidham shouldn't get comfortable being an all-ex-Tigers QB room in the Queen City of the Plains.
Nix's injury history will always hover in the minds of NFL observers, and likely Payton as well. He's had two different seasons throughout his career end with an ankle injury. There are pictures that went viral after this latest injury that had fans worried about Nix's long-term future. Payton may not be immune to those same thoughts.
For now, though, Nix and Stidham carry the torch. They better keep it lit with their play on the field.
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