Broncos' Jarrett Stidham won't be conservative vs. Patriots: 'He's going to rip it'

The Denver Broncos were dealt some of the most unfortunate news a team winning a playoff game could hear. Bo Nix broke a bone in his ankle and will miss the rest of the season.

Jarrett Stidham now has to come in and will be tasked with playing a tough New England Patriots defense this weekend. While the Broncos are at home, it's still not going to be an easy game for Denver.

But, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN, Broncos and Patriots fans shouldn't expect Stidham to back down. Instead of being conservative, Stidham is going to be aggressive against the Patriots' defense. As Sean Payton said, "He's going to rip it..."

Broncos' Jarrett Stidham to 'rip it' vs. Patriots

"Look for him to be more aggressive at times with a willingness to push the ball downfield," Legwold writes.

Airing it out against the Patriots defense won't be easy, as seen by how C.J. Stroud struggled a week ago against this same Patriots defense.

There is a big difference in that Stroud got into his own head, continued making bad decisions, and wasn't helped by the very poor conditions.

More: Broncos' Jarrett Stidham set for football history not done in NFL since Cowboys' Roger Staubach in 1972

Stidham will need to overcome a whole lot more, however, as he's not thrown a pass in the NFL since 2024. Nix's injury was a big blow to the Broncos, with Stidham's lack of playing time lately being an even bigger issue than simply relying on a backup QB.

But, despite most expecting Stidham to be incredibly conservative with the ball, as would most backup quarterbacks, he and Payton plan to be aggressive at times this game.

Stidham is going to be aggressive against the vaunted Patriots defense, "...and that'll be our approach," Payton said.

Fans should expect Stidham to throw the ball down the field at times in this game, as the Broncos' offense will try its best not be hampered by the absence of Nix on the field in the AFC Championship.

More Broncos news:

• Penalties shift the script as Broncos outlast Bills in OT thriller
• Who is Jarrett Stidham? Broncos backup QB who will take over for Bo Nix
• Bo Nix injury update: Broncos QB suffers season-ending ankle fracture in win over Bills
• Can Broncos sign a free-agent quarterback to replace injured Bo Nix?
• Broncos' Sean Payton shares what Bo Nix said about season-ending ankle injury
• Ja'Quan McMillian OT interception: How Broncos cornerback stole ball from Brandin Cooks and saved Denver's season