Broncos list Jarrett Stidham as No. 2 QB on first depth chart of 2026 season

Denver Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham is in a battle to be the team’s backup quarterback this season.

And right now, there’s some good news for Stidham and his supporters.

The Broncos released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2026 season and Stidham is listed ahead of No. 3 QB Sam Ehlinger.

Head coach Sean Payton has been asked multiple times at camp if there’s a backup QB competition and in a Payton way has dodged the question.

“There’s a competition at all these spots, alright? The guard position, quarterback position, tight end position. They’re competing for playing time and reps,” Payton said on the last day of July of Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger.

He also added “that’s why we don’t have a depth chart or anything like that,” which is a little ironic considering the NFL mandates team release depth charts. The Broncos checked that box on Wednesday, with the usual Payton hallmarks.

The rookies are listed last at their positions and the veterans ahead. Service time matters, and for example Marvin Mims Jr. is in front of Troy Franklin at one of the wide receiver positions. Malcom Roach slots in as a starter, replacing John Franklin-Myers.

Payton doesn’t put a lot of thought into this and it should be taken with a grain of salt.

But considering there’s been plenty of days at training camp where Ehlinger has worked with the second team and Jarrett Stidham with the third team, backup QB appears to be one of the true competitions on the roster.

The Broncos will have three key preseason games to decide how it all shakes out. And they’ll save $4.5 million if they cut Stidham.

Coming off a rough AFC Title Game replacing Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham needs to perform well starting on Friday night against the Falcons.

To see the full Broncos unofficial depth chart, click here.

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