The Denver Broncos are expected to roll with Jarrett Stidham as their starting quarterback in Friday night's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, which could signal the end of the backup quarterback competition.
Starting quarterback Bo Nix is not expected to play, which leaves Stidham and Sam Ehlinger to handle the quarterback duties for the entire game. Regardless of how the Broncos split up the reps, if this were still a legitimate competition, Ehlinger would likely get the start since he has yet to start a game in the preseason.
It seems likely that the team has already made up its mind.
#Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham likely to start Friday night, per source, but expect a big dose of Sam Ehlinger. Game flow matters, but Ehlinger is in line
to see potentially most of the overall work. Stidham played five series to Ehlinger's 1-plus last week.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) August 26, 2026
Jarrett Stidham likely will be Broncos' QB2 in 2026
Even if Ehlinger gets the majority of the work against the Vikings, that could just be the Broncos allowing him to audition for another team. If he doesn't end up on the active roster as the third-string quarterback, Ehlinger will presumably be a top target for Denver's practice squad.
Following a disastrous showing in the AFC Championship game in which he was thrust into action due to Nix breaking his ankle in January, Stidham was a player many Broncos fans wanted to see replaced. The announcement that he would have to win a competition against Ehlinger to hold onto his job was met with excitement from Broncos Country.
But if this ever was a one-on-one competition, Stidham likely ended those talks with a sharp performance against the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason opener, in which he showed terrific command of the offense, completing nine of 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown pass.
Hopefully, Nix is able to stay healthy this coming season, but if the Broncos have to turn to someone else, Stidham looks like he will be that guy. This would mark the fourth season in a row in which Stidham has been the Broncos' primary backup quarterback.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos’ starter for preseason finale suggests QB2 battle is over
