Report: Broncos Sign QB Jarrett Stidham to 2-Year, $10M Deal

The Denver Broncos have a new quarterback to serve as Russell Wilson's fail-safe.

The Denver Broncos have a new quarterback in town. After opting not to tender restricted free-agent backup quarterback Brett Rypien, the Broncos struck a deal with Jarrett Stidham to serve as Russell Wilson’s backup in 2023, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. 

"Sources: Former Raiders QB Jarrett Stidham is signing a 2-year, $10M deal with the Broncos, choosing to play for Sean Payton over other options. The deal, which includes $5M guaranteed and $4M more in upside, reunites him Davis Webb – who he has known since he was a teenager," Rapoport tweeted Monday morning. 

Sources: Former #Raiders QB Jarrett Stidham is signing a 2-year, $10M deal with the #Broncos, choosing to play for Sean Payton over other options. The deal, which includes $5M guaranteed and $4M more in upside, reunites him Davis Webb – who he has known since he was a teenager.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2023

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On a two-year, $10 million deal with $5 million guaranteed (per Rapoport), the Broncos went with a toolsy 26-year-old quarterback from Auburn University. Spending the last four seasons with the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders, Stidham reportedly chose to join the Broncos over other offers, in large part, due to the chance to play under head coach Sean Payton, the offensive mastermind.

Stidham will also be teaming up with a long-time acquaintance in Broncos’ brand-new QBs coach Davis Webb. Stidham and Webb reportedly go way back. 

Having only played in 13 games in his NFL career, Stidham has gone 77-for-131 for 926 yards and six touchdowns, with seven interceptions. He's a physically gifted quarterback despite the lackluster career numbers and opportunities to date. Over Weeks 17 and 18 with the Raiders last season, Stidham threw for 584 yards and four touchdowns, to three interceptions.

I traveled to Missouri’s Pro Day in 2019, mostly to get an up-close look at Drew Lock, whom the Broncos had been linked to in the NFL draft rumor mill. While there, I had a chance to talk with Stidham’s private throwing coach (at the time) Jordan Palmer. Palmer told me that Stidham had “literally the best throwing day." 

"Jarret’s stroke is just so special," Palmer said. "So smooth, so powerful, so much control on the ball.”

Stidham comes to Denver as the unquestionable backup to Wilson. But if the 12th-year veteran struggles as he did in 2022, don’t be surprised if the Broncos thrust Stidham into the starting lineup in order to protect themselves from Wilson’s $37M 2025 base salary, which is guaranteed for injury.

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