Disaster struck the Denver Broncos in the final minutes of their overtime win against the Buffalo Bills last week. Starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle that put him out of action for the AFC Championship Game, sending fans into a panic — and head coach Sean Payton into familiar territory. In a recent press conference, Payton drew on his experience with the New Orleans Saints for an insightful response when asked about the readiness of backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham heading into championship weekend.
With the rarity of a starting quarterback going down during the postseason, the spotlight naturally shifts to the next man up. However, Payton is no stranger to navigating that exact scenario. During his time in New Orleans, Payton gained invaluable experience in 2019 when Drew Brees suffered a thumb injury in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams. With Brees sidelined, Payton handed the reins to backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and reshaped the team’s approach.
While many assumed Bridgewater would be the focal point of the Saints’ success during that stretch, Payton emphasized something different behind the scenes. Rather than placing the burden solely on the interim quarterback, he challenged the entire roster to elevate its level of play. That collective mindset helped New Orleans rally to five straight wins in Brees’ absence — an experience that clearly continues to shape Payton’s perspective when facing similar circumstances today.
Great answer from Sean Payton on how he is getting the Broncos ready as QB Jarrett Stidham steps in for Bo Nix.
He compared it to when the #Saints turned to Teddy Bridgewater when @drewbrees got hurt in 2019. Bridgewater led the @Saints to a 5-0 record while Drew recovered. pic.twitter.com/kcuUJBKjju
— Farrah Yvette (@farrah_yvette) January 22, 2026
“In our first team meeting after returning from L.A., I made the same comment: ‘I’m not worried about Bridgewater,” Payton recalled. “I’m worried about everyone else in this room making sure their level is up to speed.”
Not only was he instilling confidence in his quarterback, but he also made it clear that the rest of the team needed to elevate its play. Payton also referenced a conversation he had with Drew Brees regarding his recovery. In a joking manner, he told Brees to take his time getting healthy during Bridgewater’s undefeated stretch.
“I called Drew and asked how he was doing. He said, ‘I’m getting ready to come back.’ I replied, ‘Well, make sure you take your time — things are going well here,’” It was a lighthearted jab at a Hall of Famer itching to return to action.
Payton ended on a more serious note, offering the media insight into what matters most when a team loses its starting quarterback and must rely on a backup. As always, he delivered a thoughtful answer: “I think the most important thing, similar to tight ends and receivers, is understanding what they like and what they do well. From there, you build a game plan around that and figure out what kind of game you see this being played as.”
Though the Broncos face an uphill battle against the New England Patriots, Saints fans know they have the right coach for the situation. A coach who has not only won countless games with backup quarterbacks but also knows how to prepare his team to elevate one. It’ll be interesting to see this Saturday if his Broncos team rises up to the occasion.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Sean Payton draws on Saints experience with Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham
