A former fourth-round pick by New England, Stidham has started two games each of the past two seasons. At the end of 2023, he had a chance to impress Sean Payton after taking over for a benched Russell Wilson. The 28-year-old performed adequately but didn’t shine to the point that the club would avoid taking a first-round rookie. Once Nix was drafted, Stidham’s ultimate fate was decided in Denver.

“I think they know what I can do,” he said. “I think I displayed that last year whenever I was asked to come in and play the last two games, throughout practice, throughout training camp, OTAs, the whole thing. At the end of the day, I’m going to go out there and do what I do. I’m confident in what I can do, and I’ll do whatever I can to help this team.”

Stidham is in line to back up Nix, but Payton noted that he expects to keep Zach Wilson on the roster as well after the former first-round pick flashed during the preseason.

“We have enough money. I understand the question. We feel comfortable with those three quarterbacks,” the coach said. “I think I have told you already, but I see the three of them making it.”