Nix was injured late in overtime of Denver’s playoff win over the Buffalo Bills, a victory that propelled the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game. Cameras showed him moving gingerly after taking a knee to help set up the game-winning field goal. Payton announced Nix will undergo surgery on Tuesday, with Sam Ehlinger serving as the backup and Stidham expected to start. ⏱️🏟️🦴💉🧰
The move is official: Stidham will be the starter with Nix sidelined for the rest of the season, while Ehlinger is the No. 2 QB. This represents a major pivot for Denver as it approaches a high-stakes showdown for a Super Bowl berth. ⚡️🏈🏆
Stidham isn’t a random stopgap; Denver re-signed him to a two-year deal in 2025, signaling trust in him as a reliable No. 2 in Payton’s system. He brings real-game reps, including a 365-yard, three-TD performance for the Raiders, along with prior action for New England and Denver, totaling around 1,400 passing yards in his career. 🧰🚀🎯
Looking ahead, Payton’s midweek availability will help gauge how aggressively Denver protects Stidham and whether they add depth at quarterback before the AFC Championship. With the title game on the line in Denver, time is short as the Broncos sort out their QB situation. 👀🗓️🏟️
