The stunning news puts a significant damper on what was the biggest Broncos victory in a decade. Nix was 26-of-46 passing for 279 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the overtime victory, leading go-ahead drives at the end of the fourth quarter and OT.
Denver will host its first AFC title game next Sunday against either the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots, but it will do so without its starting signal-caller.
Since being taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Nix has started all 36 games, including the postseason.
Stidham, next week’s starting QB, is a seventh-year veteran backup but made just one appearance in the 2025 season, logging four snaps in Denver’s Week 8 win over Dallas. He hasn’t seen extended action since 2023 when he started the final two games of the season in place of the shelved Russell Wilson.
The Broncos boast a top-tier defense, but Nix is the engine that makes its offense go. Payton said he knows his team will respond with a Super Bowl berth on the line next week.
“They’ll be disappointed,” Payton said. “There will be a lot of emotions, and then the refocus takes place.
“Stiddy’s ready, and we’ll be ready for the next challenge.”