Jarrett Stidham to start Broncos’ finale, with Russell Wilson QB2،
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton made it official Monday morning, saying Jarrett Stidham will start in Sunday's season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Payton, who announced last Wednesday that he had benched Russell Wilson and would start Stidham against the Los Angeles Chargers, said Monday morning that he would keep Stidham behind center to close out the season “with Jarrett as starter and Russ as starter. [No.] 2.''
That could mean Wilson, who signed a five-year, $242.6 million contract last year, has played his final game with the Broncos if the team releases him this offseason. Payton has repeatedly stated that no decision has been made regarding Wilson's future with the team and that no decision will be made until he and general manager George Paton, as well as owner/ CEO Greg Penner, would not discuss roster decisions after the season.
Payton said last week that he benched Wilson in search of a “spark” for the offense and placed Stidham as the starter. Sunday was Stidham's third career start in four years in the league. He signed a two-year, $10 million contract. last March.
Stidham did not turn the ball over in the Broncos' 16-9 win over the Chargers. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 224 yards and a 54-yard touchdown catch and run by wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who broke several tackles on the play. Stidham completed 95 of his passing yards on the game to Humphrey and another 41 yarder to Jerry Jeudy – both in the first half – to go with 129 yards on his other 18 completions in the game.
The Broncos never trailed in the game. Stidham accounted for 165 of his passing yards, as well as the touchdown to Humphrey in the first half. Payton lamented an 0-for-2 performance in the red zone scoring touchdowns, including 0-for-1 in goal-and-goal situations, but said Stidham played well overall.
“First, our job is to score,” Payton said. “We had opportunities [Sunday] …that's the first thing. I think Jarrett did a good job after seeing the tape, with his decisions, ball security, all the things you want to see from that position… Lots of positives to build on.
The Raiders have the league's 10th-ranked pass defense (210.8 passing yards allowed per game) and are the 8th-ranked pass defense, a much higher order than the Chargers, who entered Sunday's game ranked 30th in pass defense and 26th in scoring. defense.
The Broncos, who lost to Las Vegas in the season opener, haven't beaten the Raiders since 2020 — a seven-game losing streak. Payton said he has no plans to rest healthy players in pursuit of a 9-8 record, which would be the Broncos' first winning record to close a season since 2016 .
“Absolutely not — we’re doing everything in our power to win this game,” Payton said Monday. “It’s so important, who plays quarterback, who starts in the offensive line, who starts on defense, it’s that simple.”
