Sean Payton doesn’t name Broncos backup QB, says ‘competition at all these spots’

Denver Broncos backup QB Jarrett Stidham got his shot last year in the AFC Title Game.

It didn’t go well.

After starting quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle against the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos had to turn to Stidham in the AFC Championship. He finished 17-31 against the Patriots for 133 yards with a touchdown, interception and fumble. The fumble proved to be costly, gifting New England seven points in a 10-7 win that sent them to the Super Bowl.

And with Nix coming off two ankle surgeries over the last six months, there’s a chance the Broncos will need a viable backup QB this season.

Right now the options on the roster behind Nix are Stidham and Sam Ehlinger. After training camp practice on Friday, head coach Sean Payton was asked if there’s a competition at backup quarterback or if he’s sticking with… then the reporter’s question was cut off.

“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 and yeah it’s why we don’t have a depth chart or anything like that,” Payton said.

It would have been easy for Payton to say Stidham is the backup QB, but he declined to name one. Ehlinger had a chance to bolt to the Colts during the 2025 season, but chose to stay in Denver. Indianapolis pivoted to bringing Philip Rivers out of retirement.

Payton spoke highly of Ehlinger at the time, saying he has an “it factor” the Broncos like, while also adding he possesses a strong football IQ, is a quick decision maker and is a “real good foot athlete.”

No one knows what Ehlinger was promised behind closed doors, but perhaps a training camp competition to be Nix’s backup was brought up.

And Payton didn’t do anything to dispel that notion on Friday. He wants competition everywhere on the Broncos, including for the No. 2 quarterback spot.

Obviously, how the rest of training camp and the preseason plays out will go a long way toward deciding who ultimately wins the job.

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