Jarrett Stidham Bio
Jarrett Ryan Stidham is an American professional football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers following a stint with the Baylor Bears. Stidham was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft, where he spent his first three seasons as a backup, and played one season for the Las Vegas Raiders. He joined the Broncos in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Jarrett Stidham was born on August 8, 1996, in Corbin, Kentucky. His family moved to Stephenville, Texas when he was in elementary school, and he later attended Stephenville High School. As a senior, he completed 183 of 260 passes for 2,934 yards with 35 touchdowns. He also rushed for 969 yards and 15 touchdowns. Stidham was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit and was ranked as the sixth-best dual-threat quarterback in his class. Initially, he committed to Texas Tech University to play college football, but later changed to Baylor University.
Path to American Football
Stidham entered his true freshman year at Baylor in 2015 as the backup quarterback to Seth Russell. He appeared in the first seven games, completing 24 of 28 passes for 331 yards and six touchdowns. After Russell suffered a season-ending neck injury during Baylor’s seventh game, Stidham took over as the starter. He started his first career game against the Kansas State Wildcats, completing 23 of 33 passes for 419 yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. However, injuries plagued his early career, leading to his eventual transfer from Baylor amid a coaching scandal. After spending a semester at McLennan Community College, where he did not play football, Stidham transferred to Auburn University. He was named Auburn’s starting quarterback for the 2017 season and led the Tigers to an SEC West Division Championship. Stidham announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL draft on December 4, 2018.
Jarrett Stidham Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Jarrett Stidham was selected by the New England Patriots with the 133rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He signed a four-year deal worth $3.15 million, including a signing bonus of about $634,000. At the end of the Patriots’ 2019 training camp, Stidham was named the second-string backup to quarterback Tom Brady. He made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the New York Jets, completing two out of three passes before throwing an interception. Stidham had limited opportunities to start, primarily serving as a backup during his tenure with the Patriots.
Breakthrough (2022)
On May 13, 2022, Stidham was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he reunited with head coach Josh McDaniels. He was named the second option to starting quarterback Derek Carr and, on December 28, 2022, was named the starter for the first time in his career. In his first NFL start, Stidham threw for 365 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in a close overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers. This performance showcased his potential as a starting quarterback in the league.
Joining the Denver Broncos (2023-Present)
On March 13, 2023, Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Denver Broncos. He was announced as the starter for the final two games of the season after Russell Wilson was benched. On March 10, 2025, Stidham signed a two-year, $12 million extension with the Broncos.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Jarrett Stidham has achieved significant milestones, including being named SEC Newcomer of the Year and Second-team All-SEC in 2017. He was also awarded the 2018 Music City Bowl MVP.
Jarrett Stidham Award Nominations
Jarrett Stidham has received several notable awards throughout his career, including SEC Newcomer of the Year and Second-team All-SEC in 2017, highlighting his early impact in college football.
Jarrett Stidham Awards Won
Stidham’s accolades include the SEC Newcomer of the Year award in 2017, the Second-team All-SEC recognition in the same year, and the 2018 Music City Bowl MVP award, showcasing his talent and contributions on the field.
Jarrett Stidham Family
Jarrett Stidham has been married to Kennedy Stidham since 2019. They met as students at Baylor University. The couple welcomed their daughter in 2022 and are expecting another child in 2025.
Personal Life
Stidham maintains a relatively private personal life. He has been open about his marriage to Kennedy Stidham, who is the daughter of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Tad Brown. The couple’s family continues to grow with the birth of their children.
