Jan. 18, 2026, 2:14 p.m. ET

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) stands next to quarterback Bo Nix (10)) during overtime of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High.

Once upon a time, Jarrett Stidham was viewed as the quarterback who would succeed Tom Brady in New England. That didn’t work out. Stidham, a journeyman, now finds himself start for the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game. There will be the advantage of being at home with the Mile High faithful roaring. That said, Stidham becomes the second player to make his first start of the season at QB in a conference championship contest. The other was Roger Staubach in 1972 when the Dallas Cowboys lost to Washington. Stidham was drafted in 2019. What other QBs were taken that year?

Trace McSorleyPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards tackles Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley.

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Round: 6

Pick: 197

Gardner Minshew IIJacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II calls a play.

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Round: 6

Pick: 196

Clayton ThorsonPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Clayton Thorson before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field.

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Round: 5

Pick: 167

Easton StickLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Round: 6

Pick: 166

Jarrett StidhamNew England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham listens to his headset from the sideline during a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium

Team: New England Patriots

Round: 4

Pick: 133

Ryan FinleyRyan Finley.

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Round: 4

Pick: 104

Will GrierCarolina Panthers quarterback Will Grier jumps out of reach of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Lamont Wade.

Team: Carolina Panthers

Round: 4

Pick: 100

Drew LockDenver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock dives for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High.

Team: Denver Broncos

Round: 2

Pick: 42

Dwayne HaskinsWashington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) stands on the sidelines after being benched.

Team: Washington

Round: 1

Pick: 15

Daniel JonesNew York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is being sacked by Tennessee Titans linebacker Rashad Weaver (99) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98).

Team: New York Giants

Round: 1

Pick: 6

Kyler MurrayKyler Murray (Oklahoma) is selected as the number one overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Round: 1

Pick: 1