Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham's wife said things have been heavy since the news of Bo Nix's season-ending ankle injury, suffered in Denver's overtime win against the Bills in Saturday's Divisional Round game.

The former Patriot will face his old team in the AFC Championship even though he hasn't started a game since 2023.

The former Auburn quarterback will be “ready for the moment” on Sunday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham has proven himself to be a capable backup here in Denver. Stidham was originally signed by the Broncos in 2023, to backup then-quarterback Russell Wilson. After the Broncos benched Wilson at the end of 2023 and drafted Bo Nix in 2024, Stidham found himself in a competition for the starting job.

All that stands between the New England Patriots and their first trip to the Super Bowl since Tom Brady left is a backup quarterback that they already know pretty well. The team that Brady led to six NFL titles — and 13 conference title games — will play Denver (15-3) on Sunday for the AFC championship against one of the QBs who filled in as his successor.

Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham will make history in the AFC title game, becoming the seventh QB to make their first start of the season in the playoffs.

The city of Denver and Denver Broncos players are already rallying around backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham after the announcement that Bo Nix will be out for the rest of the postseason with a broken ankle. Safety P.J. Locke tweeted out his support for Stidham, hearkening back to 2017 Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.