Jarrett Stidham Bio
Jarrett Ryan Stidham is an American professional football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 8, 1996, in Corbin, Kentucky, he played college football for the Baylor Bears and the Auburn Tigers before being selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. After spending his first three professional seasons as a backup in New England, he played one year for the Las Vegas Raiders and joined the Broncos in 2023. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, Stidham is recognized for his poise in the pocket and his experience across multiple offensive systems.
Early Life and Background
Jarrett Ryan Stidham was born on August 8, 1996, in Corbin, Kentucky. His family later moved to Stephenville, Texas, when he was in elementary school, and he grew up in the community that became his longtime home. He attended Stephenville High School, where he developed into one of the most productive quarterbacks in the state.
As a senior, Stidham completed 183 of 260 passes for 2,934 yards with 35 touchdowns while also rushing for 969 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit and was ranked as the sixth-best dual-threat quarterback in his recruiting class. Stidham originally committed to Texas Tech University before changing his college choice to Baylor University.
Path to American Football
Stidham entered his true freshman year at Baylor in 2015 as the backup quarterback to Seth Russell. After Russell suffered injuries during the season, Stidham was elevated to the starting role and immediately showed promise, throwing for 419 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start against the Kansas State Wildcats. He finished his freshman campaign with several starts before a chipped ankle bone ended his season.
Following a sexual abuse scandal at Baylor and general dissatisfaction with his role, Stidham announced his transfer in July 2016. After spending a semester at McLennan Community College, where he did not play football, he transferred to Auburn University. Stidham was named Auburn’s starting quarterback for the 2017 season and led the Tigers to an SEC West Division Championship with victories over top-ranked Georgia and Alabama.
Jarrett Stidham Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Stidham’s college career began with flashes of brilliance at Baylor, where his strong arm and mobility made him one of the most talked-about young quarterbacks in the Big 12. His freshman year was cut short by injury, and his time at Baylor concluded with his decision to transfer in 2016. His arrival at Auburn rejuvenated both his trajectory and the program itself.
As Auburn’s starter, Stidham became the face of the Tigers’ offense. In 2017, he earned SEC Newcomer of the Year honors and was named Second-team All-SEC. On December 28, 2018, he closed his college career with a 63–14 victory over Purdue in the Music City Bowl, earning the game’s MVP award.
New England Patriots Era (2019–2021)
Stidham was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round, 133rd overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. He signed a four-year deal worth approximately $3.15 million and was named the backup to Tom Brady. Stidham selected jersey number 4, becoming the first Patriots player since kicker Adam Vinatieri in 2005 to wear that number and the first quarterback in franchise history to do so.
After Brady’s departure in 2020, Stidham appeared in several games as a reserve and threw his first career touchdown pass to N’Keal Harry against the Kansas City Chiefs. He moved between the second and third spots on the depth chart as the Patriots cycled through quarterbacks Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, and Mac Jones. In 2021, Stidham began the year on the reserve physically unable to perform list and did not take the field for the entire season.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022)
On May 13, 2022, Stidham was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting him with head coach Josh McDaniels, his former offensive coordinator in New England. He was named the backup to Derek Carr and was the only backup quarterback to make the Raiders’ initial 53-man roster.
On December 28, 2022, after the Raiders benched Carr with two games remaining, Stidham earned his first NFL start. He threw for 365 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 37–34 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers, delivering a promising performance despite the defeat.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
On March 13, 2023, Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Denver Broncos. He was later named the starter for the final two games of the 2023 season after Russell Wilson was benched. Stidham earned his first career victory in a 16–9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, completing 20 of 32 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown, and no turnovers.
Stidham spent the 2024 season as the primary backup to rookie Bo Nix and appeared in three games without attempting a pass. On March 10, 2025, he signed a two-year, $12 million extension with $7 million guaranteed. After Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills, head coach Sean Payton named Stidham the starter for the AFC Championship Game against his former team, the New England Patriots. Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, but the Broncos lost 10–7.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stidham is a right-handed quarterback known for his composure, pocket awareness, and ability to operate multiple offensive schemes. His experience under coordinators in New England, Las Vegas, and Denver has shaped him into a system-aware passer with strong timing and accuracy on intermediate routes. He is also capable of extending plays with his legs when necessary.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stidham’s most memorable professional moments include his first NFL start with the Raiders in 2022, his first career win with the Broncos in 2023, and his AFC Championship Game start in 2025. He is also recognized as the first Patriots quarterback to wear jersey number 4 in franchise history.
Jarrett Stidham Career Wins
Jarrett Stidham has accumulated a measured list of professional milestones across multiple franchises since 2019. While he has spent the majority of his career as a backup, his appearances in meaningful games have produced memorable outcomes.
NFL Highlights
Stidham’s first NFL win came on December 31, 2023, when he led the Denver Broncos to a 16–9 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. That performance was the culmination of four seasons of preparation behind some of the league’s most established quarterbacks. His subsequent start in the 2025 AFC Championship Game marked the biggest stage of his career to date.
Other Wins & Performances
During his college career, Stidham led the Auburn Tigers to an SEC West Division Championship in 2017 and closed his career with a 63–14 win over Purdue in the 2018 Music City Bowl, capturing the game’s MVP award.
Jarrett Stidham Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stidham was raised in a supportive household that moved from Corbin, Kentucky, to Stephenville, Texas, during his elementary school years. His cousin, Sawyer Robertson, is a former Baylor quarterback, creating a family connection to the game. Stidham’s wife, Kennedy Brown Stidham, is the daughter of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Tad Brown.
Personal Life
Stidham met his wife, Kennedy Brown, while attending Baylor University, and the couple married in 2019. They have three children, with their first daughter born in 2022. The family has made their home in the Denver area since Stidham joined the Broncos in 2023.
2025 Season Performance
Stidham’s 2025 campaign began with a two-year, $12 million contract extension signed in March, securing his future with the Denver Broncos. During the regular season, he appeared in just one game, a Week 8 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in which he recorded a kneel-down to end the contest and did not attempt a pass. His role as the primary backup kept him on the sideline for most of the year behind starter Bo Nix.
Stidham’s season took a dramatic turn in the postseason after Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Sean Payton named Stidham the starter for the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, his original NFL team. Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while also losing a fumble that led to New England’s only touchdown, and the Broncos fell 10–7.
Looking ahead, Stidham remains under contract with the Broncos through 2027. With Nix recovering from injury, Stidham’s experience and familiarity with Payton’s offense position him as a key piece of Denver’s quarterback plans for the 2026 season. His performance in the AFC Championship Game, despite the loss, demonstrated his readiness to lead a team on the league’s biggest stage.
