Broncos fans should prepare for team to make surprising QB decision for 2026 season
Article excerpt
The Denver Broncos may face a significant quarterback decision heading into 2026, with multiple options on the table that could surprise fans. The team's current situation at the position appears unsettled, creating uncertainty about who will lead the offense in the coming season. Front office moves and personnel considerations could result in an unexpected choice at the crucial position. Broncos fans should brace for a potentially dramatic shift in quarterback strategy.
Broncos fans should prepare for team to make surprising QB decision for 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Denver Broncos have a solid group of quarterbacks and no controversy heading into training camp ahead of the 2026 season. Well, at least as it relates to the starting quarterback spot.
Bo Nix, so long as he is fully recovered from the broken ankle he suffered in the team's divisional win over the Buffalo Bills last year, is going to be the team's starting quarterback. However, serious questions are forming regarding who will be his backup.
Jarrett Stidham sits behind Nix on the depth chart, but it doesn't sound like he is just going to be handed the backup job. Instead, Sam Ehlinger is going to be given a chance to take it away. And based on what is being reported out of the team's OTAs this week, Ehlinger has a fighting chance to do just that.
Is there a backup QB competition in Denver? Depends who you ask.
Sam Ehlinger looked good today. Sean Payton commented on his command of the offense compared to last year: "I think considerably [deeper command]. Today there were a handful of plays maybe a year ago at this time…
, Rachel Vigil (@heyrachelvigil) June 4, 2026
Ehlinger was the team's No. 3 quarterback last season, rarely active on game days, but he showed himself to be incredibly loyal to the team more than once and that has led him to a chance to become the team's backup quarterback.
Can Sam Ehlinger take backup job away from Jarrett Stidham?
This is an important question for two reasons.
For one, Nix is coming off a broken ankle and could have a setback this season. The Broncos want to avoid that at all costs, but an 18-week season is taxing on the body and Nix has a history of ankle issues. Beyond that, Stidham played quite poorly in relief of Nix in the AFC Championship Game last season and many fans place the blame for that loss squarely on his shoulders.
At the very least, the Broncos likely want to see if Ehlinger is deserving of a chance to give the team a better option than Stidham, should it be placed in that position again. The Broncos know what they have in Stidham; there is still unknown and perhaps untapped potential in Ehlinger.
Ehlinger starred at Texas in college before being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has made three career starts, all with the Colts, and lost all three of those games. He has 573 career passing yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
However, the Broncos like him and he has been developing well in their system. Payton's suggestion that he has a better grasp of the offense is encouraging. In addition, Payton has done nothing to quell talks that there is a legitimate battle for the No. 2 job this year.
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Ehlinger could easily take that spot from Stidham and there's a chance it will become an expected move.
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