Peter King Predicts Jarrett Stidham Will Open 2024 as Broncos' Starting QB

Stidham won't be without competition, however.

Nearly six years after predicting Case Keenum would land in Denver, longtime NFL scribe Peter King is back with another Broncos quarterback forecast.

King recently laid the expectation that Jarrett Stidham will open the 2024 season as the team's starting QB, replacing Russell Wilson, who's likely to be released in March.

“Unless Jarrett Stidham absolutely stinks in the last two weeks, I believe the Broncos will enter 2024 with Jarrett Stidham as their quarterback and see what happens,” King said on Dec. 29, via Broncos Wire. “They’ll bring somebody else in [to pair with him].”

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King's prognostication was issued just prior to Stidham's debut start with the Broncos where he completed 20-of-32 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown in a 16-9 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was the first of a two-game audition for Stidham, who faces his old club, the Las Vegas Raiders, in Sunday's season finale.

Head coach/offensive play-caller Sean Payton confirmed that Stidham's play can (and will) influence Denver's future under center.

"We are constantly evaluating how they play, and then, it would definitely carry over to how we feel about next year, relative to their role. The answer would be yes," Payton said Monday. "I think these are important snaps and games for him.”

Payton hand-picked Stidham from last spring's free-agent pool, giving Tom Brady's former backup a two-year, $10 million contract. That he might enter next season as QB1 — with competition — is of little surprise.

What remains a surprise, however, is the form that competition takes. Will it be a veteran who's familiar with Payton, like Jameis Winston? Or will the club swing for the fences on a rookie in April's draft?

Either way, buckle up.

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