Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton officially confirmed on Monday morning that Jarrett Stidham will be the starting quarterback for the team’s season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
Last Wednesday, Payton announced the decision to bench Russell Wilson and give Stidham the starting role against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the recent update, Payton stated that Stidham will remain the starter for the season’s closing game, with Russell Wilson as the backup.
This decision could potentially signal the end of Russell Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos, especially if the team decides to release him in the offseason. Payton emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding Wilson’s future, and discussions about roster decisions will take place after the season with general manager George Paton and owner/CEO Greg Penner.
Payton had benched Wilson in the previous week, aiming to inject a “spark” into the offense by inserting Stidham as the starter. Stidham, in his third career start in four years, led the Broncos to a 16-9 victory over the Chargers without committing any turnovers. He completed 20-of-32 passes for 224 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who showcased his skills with several broken tackles on the play.
Despite some missed opportunities in the red zone, Payton praised Stidham’s overall performance, highlighting his decision-making, ball security, and positive contributions to the team. The upcoming challenge against the Raiders presents a tougher test, as they boast the 10th-ranked pass defense and the 8th-ranked scoring defense in the league.
The Broncos, determined to break a seven-game losing streak against the Raiders, are focused on securing a 9-8 finish for the season. Payton affirmed that there is no intention of resting healthy players, emphasizing the importance of winning the final game and achieving a winning record for the first time since 2016.
