From the outside looking in, being a backup quarterback in the NFL might seem like the primo job you can have in professional sports. One where you can make million of dollars without ever having to actually play in games.

From the perspective of many backup quarterbacks, it’s abject misery. These guys don’t come this far to sit and watch someone else become The Man.

Such is the case of Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who lost a training camp battle to Bo Nix before the 2024 season and has been open about his desire to eventually be a full time starter elsewhere. It’s an opportunity that now presents itself if the Broncos are willing to trade him to the New Orleans Saints, who have quickly become the most quarterback desperate team in the NFL.

Stidham heads into his fourth season as Denver’s No. 2 quarterback after signing a 2-year, $12 million contract on March 9. The new deal brings his career earnings to approximately $25.6 million following the 2026 season.

“First of all, obviously I was very disappointed,” Stidham said after finding out Nix would be Denver’s starter in 2024. “I know I’m a starting quarterback in this league. I have no doubts about that, and it just didn’t shake out my way. I know what kind of player I am, what kind of person I am. Like I said earlier, I’ll be ready to go if I need to be. Like I said, I have no doubts that I’m a starting-caliber quarterback in this league.”