Buried beneath the obvious, glaring need for a multifaceted offensive weapon — the prized “Joker” that’ll define the Broncos’ offseason — Denver head coach Sean Payton made clear at the NFL combine that securing a backup quarterback was a “must.”
On Sunday, they crossed their first need off a long list of free-agent priorities, as multiple sources confirmed to the The Denver Post that the Broncos were re-signing backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham on a two-year deal worth up to $12 million. One source told the Post the deal was worth $7 million guaranteed.
NFL Network first reported the agreement.
At the combine, Payton called the Broncos’ QB room “unique,” with both Stidham and fellow backup Zach Wilson set to hit free agency. Securing a backup for rising second-year QB Bo Nix was a priority, and the Broncos got their man in Stidham, who rounded out a strong quarterback room in 2024.
After a rocky first couple of years in New England, former 2019 fourth-round pick Stidham spent a year with the Raiders before Denver signed him to a two-year, $10 million deal in 2023. He went 1-1 in his first season in Denver after taking over at the end of the year for a benched Russell Wilson, throwing for 496 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in two starts.
Stidham appeared in three games in 2024, rushing four times but not recording a pass attempt. The 28-year-old quarterback played a year at Baylor before finishing his collegiate career at Auburn, where Nix also began playing college ball.
The pair have known each other for years. Stidham, as it happens, hosted Nix on his official visit to Auburn when Nix was a highly touted legacy recruit.
“He’s been great to have all year,” Nix said of Stidham after accounting for 34 touchdowns and helping the Broncos end a near-decade postseason drought as a rookie starter. “He’s taught me a lot about not only our scheme, but preparation and going against other teams. I expect the same this week. He’s a great guy to lean on, to talk to and get some information from. He works just as hard as I do.
“We’re out here competing together and wanting to put a good product on the field.”
Stidham, Nix and Wilson formed a good bond, getting together for dinner most weeks during the season and operating well under 29-year-old quarterback coach Davis Webb.
“I think there’s a real good demeanor,” Payton said of Stidham during the season. “A calming demeanor, experience, so many of these things that may be new. Again, you’re leaving in a college offense, and you tweak so many of these things that Jarrett has seen. Whether it’s a read progression, footwork and of course obviously that room I like. Zach and then Davis is doing a great job.
“There are enough snaps in there, and there’s compatibility in there and that’s just as important.”
The Broncos would like to have another year of development with Wilson, too, though he may have better opportunities when free agency opens this week.
Fraboni returns. The Broncos also re-signed long snapper Mitchell Fraboni to a three-year contract on Sunday, sources confirmed to The Post. Fraboni, 28, has been with Denver since the 2022 season. Denver was not likely to tender him as a restricted free agent, but the club wanted him back after he’d developed solid rapport with place kicker Wil Lutz and punter Riley Dixon. Dixon is an impending free agent. Fraboni’s deal is worth $4.175 million and comes with $1.6 million guaranteed.
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