After a standout college career at Texas, quarterback Sam Ehlinger was selected in the 6th round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. During his time with the Colts, Ehlinger played in just 8 games, including 3 starts, and totaled 573 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, completed 63.4% of his passes, and had a QB rating of 76.1.
Ehlinger would stay on the Colts roster through the 2024 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025. The first few waves of free agency
passed without Ehlinger being signed, but on March 31st, he signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos. He would join a team that had Bo Nix coming off a promising rookie season, and handpicked veteran backup Jarrett Stidham locked in as the team’s QB2. Ehlinger would slide in as the Broncos QB3 and look to impress the Broncos coaches enough that they would decide to keep him around.
After a solid training camp and preseason, Ehlinger did impress the Broncos coaching staff and gave the decision-makers a tough decision when constructing the 53-man roster. In the end, the Broncos would end up releasing Ehlinger (he was the final announced cut) and hoped that they could re-sign him to their practice squad. A day later, it was announced that despite multiple chances to join a 53-man roster, Ehlinger decided to re-sign with the Broncos and join their practice squad. It was reported that Ehlinger became close with Nix and Sitdham, loved the quarterback room, and QB coach Davis Webb (now OC + playcaller) while also being high on the future of this team.
The Broncos would reward Ehlinger’s commitment to the team and activate him multiple times to the 53-man roster, including for the AFC Championship Game; however, he would not play a snap for the Broncos that season.
Ehlinger would become a free agent this past offseason and was among the many in-house free agents that the team decided to re-sign. They gave him a one-year deal worth $2 million dollars with the opportunity to push for the Broncos backup quarterback job behind starter Bo Nix.
Player Profile
Sam Ehlinger | Quarterback | Denver Broncos
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 222 pounds
- Age: 27 years old
- Experience: 6th NFL season
- 2025 stats: Did not appear in any games for the Broncos, but spent time on the practice squad and active roster
Sam Ehlinger’s 2026 outlook with the Denver Broncos
If you believe the offseason hype, Sam Ehlinger is really pushing Jarrett Stidham for the Broncos backup quarterback job.
As of now, Ehlinger is projected to be the Broncos QB3 and likely have a similar role to the one he had last season. There appears to be mutual admiration from both parties, so even if he is released again during final cuts, I would imagine he would rejoin their practice squad.
However, Ehlinger could be eyeing that backup quarterback job.
With Bo Nix sidelined for most of the offseason practices, Stidham and Ehlinger were the Broncos quarterbacks, and according to all reports, Ehlinger looked like the better player.
Head Coach Sean Payton was asked about QB Sam Ehlinger and what his process will look like moving forward. He told reporters that Ehlinger needs to stay the course and that he is doing well with the system.
“Just what he’s doing. He’s getting reps. Stay the course. Some of the things, some of his strengths you don’t get to see. They’re the spontaneous plays that get whistled out early that don’t get finished. I think he’s doing well with the system.”
So, we could be seeing yet another Denver Broncos training camp quarterback competition, but this time, for the Broncos backup quarterback position.
Veteran Jarrett Stidham should have a leg up, considering he has been the backup since Sean Payton was hired by the Broncos and knows his system well. However, a rough showing in the AFC Championship Game and with Ehlinger now in year two of the system and playing well could put some pressure on the veteran backup.
A lot of this is speculation on my part, but the reports from OTAs and minicamp were about how Ehlinger looked better than Stiddy, so we shall see if that carries into training camp and the preseason.
Final Thoughts
I have a feeling we are going to be talking about this battle throughout camp and the preseason. The team obviously likes Ehlinger, and if he is playing well, I could see them rotating Stiddy and Ehlinger with the second team offense throughout the summer.
Does Ehlinger ultimately pass Stidham on the depth chart? It’s certainly possible, but I would be surprised. Payton’s first free agent signing was Stidham, and he has shown faith in him throughout his tenure, including re-signing him to a two-year contract worth $12 million in 2025. Barring Ehlinger obviously outplaying him, I would imagine that Stiddy will remain as the Broncos QB2.
If a QB-needy team were to call the Broncos and offer something decent for him, maybe they reconsider, but for now, I would imagine the quarterback room looking the same as it did last season with Stiddy as the QB2 and Ehlinger as the QB3.
Ehlinger pushing for the QB2 job would be fun, though, so I am rooting for a competitive competition to happen this summer with the best player winning the job.
