Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham believes he can be 2024 starter،
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – While cleaning out lockers Monday, Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham said he's ready to become the team's QB1 next season.
“I'm very confident that I can be the guy we need next year, I have no doubt about it,” Stidham said. “I'm going to continue to work as hard as I can…I'm excited for the opportunity, that's for sure.
Stidham started the Broncos' final two games of the season, including Sunday's season-finale loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas, after coach Sean Payton benched Russell Wilson. Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract last March. Ben DiNucci, who spent the season on the Broncos' practice squad, agreed to a futures contract Monday for next season.
“At the end of the day, I’ll be back in April, ready to rock,” Stidham said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to come back, that’s for sure.”
Wilson is also under contract for next season, but many around the league expect the Broncos to release him before the new league year begins in March. Payton has publicly stated that no decision has yet been made regarding Wilson's future.
Wilson said on Dec. 29 — two days after Payton told the team that Wilson had been benched — that the Broncos approached him right after the Broncos' Week 8 win over the Kansas Chiefs City over waiving a guarantee in the five-year, $242.6 million contract. he signed in 2022. This guarantee would give Wilson, who is already guaranteed $39 million in 2024 whether he is on the team or not, an additional $37 million (his 2025 salary) if he does not cannot take a medical examination on the fifth day of the new league. year in March.
Team sources have since said they hope to adjust the timing or structure of the guarantee. Few around the league believe the Broncos will pay that guarantee and Wilson is expected to be released.
Stidham started the Broncos' 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown. Sunday, however, did not go as well for either the Broncos offense or Stidham as he completed 20 of 34 passes for 272 yards to go with a touchdown and an interception in the 27-14 loss.
He was also sacked five times as the Broncos rushed for 48 yards.
“He held his own, had some tough snaps and got hit,” Payton said after the game. “I think he had five sacks and nine pressures, but overall he struggled…I thought we got beat up front. I was disappointed with the way we played up front , I'll be honest with you.
Stidham said Monday morning that he has already had conversations with quarterbacks coach Davis Webb and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi about the offseason. He added that he hasn't spoken to Payton yet.
“I’ve said it before, everyone wants to play,” Stidham said. “Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to be on the field, I want to be on the field every minute of next year if possible.”
Payton moved away from Wilson because he said he wanted to see a “spark” in the offense. The Broncos, although Wilson was among the league's top six quarterbacks in passing touchdowns until he was benched, coughed up a lot overall, even though Payton said he should be more “patient” with the running game.
They struggled with timeouts at times, rebounded in some late-game situations, and finished the season tied for 27th in the league in plays of 20 yards or more, 26th in total offense (298.4 yards per game), 19th in scoring (21.0 points per game). ), 20th in the red zone and 30th in goal-to-play situations. And they finished the year with 44 points in the third quarter.
Stidham was the 12th quarterback to start a game for the team since the start of the 2016 season – running back Phillip Lindsay was the 13th player to start a game behind center when he started on the Wildcat roster in 2020 , while the Broncos were without a quarterback. due to COVID-19 protocols.
Stidham was asked on Monday how Wilson interacted with him during the final two weeks of the season and he responded: “[He] “It was awesome, super positive, super helpful…all the time, I can't say enough good things about Russ, what he meant to the room all the way through.”
