Stidham Steps In as Nix Sidelined 12 Weeks

BREAKING: Broncos turning to Jarrett Stidham as Bo Nix undergoes ankle surgery, out about 12 weeks

The Broncos just shifted gear at quarterback. I am told Bo Nix had ankle surgery and will miss roughly 12 weeks. The expectation inside the building is a return around minicamp. That puts Jarrett Stidham in line to run the offense this spring and, if needed, to open camp with the ones.

What happened, and why it matters now

This is about timing and trust. The Broncos designed their spring to bring Nix along fast. He is the long term starter, and the playbook was built with his strengths in mind. The injury pauses that plan, but it does not derail it. Staffers view the 12 week window as manageable.

The immediate pivot is simple. Stidham will guide the first team through installs, timing work, and tempo periods. That includes red zone, third down, and two minute. He did it last winter, and he knows Sean Payton’s language. Familiarity counts in May and June.

[IMAGE_1]

What this means for Jarrett Stidham

Stidham has been steady in this system. He started the final two games last season and kept the offense on schedule. Coaches trust his operation skills, his cadence, and his ability to get the ball out on time. He does not need to be flashy. He needs to be sharp.

He is also auditioning. Every rep is a chance to shape the depth chart behind Nix. If Stidham stacks clean practices, he can lock down the number two job and push the staff to keep the scheme intact until Nix returns.

• Command the huddle, set tempo, and win the pre snap.
• Protect the ball and finish drives in the red zone.
• Hit the shot plays when they are dialed up.
• Help young receivers master spacing and timing.

Stidham throws a catchable ball and is calm in chaos. In this offense, that plays. The ball has to come out on rhythm. The run game and play action will carry weight, and Stidham can run both. The bar is clear. Keep the machine humming.

How Denver adjusts its offseason plan

The plan now leans on structure. Expect more team periods with Stidham at the helm. Expect a heavy emphasis on protection rules and route detail. Denver will keep the install pace, but it may layer the volume to match the personnel on the field.

Nix will attack rehab and mental reps. He will be in meetings, on the grass during walkthroughs, and on the tablet during team sessions. The Broncos will keep his voice present. When he is cleared, the sprint back into live work begins.

There is also a ripple effect for the pass catchers. Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. will build timing with Stidham for now. That helps the room either way. Good timing is good timing, no matter who is under center.

[IMAGE_2]

Should the Broncos add a veteran arm?

This is a real conversation. You want enough arms to protect camp legs and keep practice quality high. You also want competition. Denver already has experience in the room with Stidham. The staff can explore another veteran with starting snaps, or a young camp arm who can soak up reps in late periods.

Here is the calculus. If Nix hits the 12 week mark clean, the urgency drops. If there is any hiccup, having a proven third option becomes valuable insurance.

What to watch next

The next two weeks will tell us a lot. How fast does Stidham link up with the receivers. How well does the offense handle third down and red zone scripts. Does the ball come out on time. Those are indicators that this group can hold the fort until the rookie returns.

The Broncos still see Nix as the answer for the long haul. This is a spring detour, not a detonation. In the meantime, Stidham has a real chance to shape the offense’s tone, teach the details, and remind the room he can win drives. Denver needs stability in May. Stidham can deliver it, and that is the story right now.

The clock is already running. The reps start today. The Broncos are ready to roll.