Concerned Denver Broncos fans are wondering what quarterback moves the team can make ahead of the massive AFC Championship showdown against the New England Patriots. With Bo Nix injured, there has been plenty of speculation about who the Broncos could sign, with some fans wondering about Tom Brady as a wild option.
Brady briefly ending his retirement to take on his former Patriots team would be quite a story. The problem is that this cannot happen, sorry Broncos fans. Not only is Brady 48 years old, but the former star quarterback is part of the Las Vegas Raiders ownership group.
Even if Brady wanted to return with the Broncos one game away from the Super Bowl (and there is no sign that the legend wants to play), NFL rules prevent players from also owning part of a team in the league. Brady will be at a conference championship this weekend as the star is calling the Rams-Seahawks game for Fox.
“If you own part of an NFL team, you’re no longer allowed to suit up for any team in the NFL, which eliminates Brady, who officially became a minority owner in the Raiders back in October 2024,” CBS Sports’ John Breech detailed in a January 19, 2026, story titled, “Six wild QB options for Broncos after shocking Bo Nix injury: Tom Brady can’t play, but two other MVPs could.”
“As for Carr, he’s still under contract with the Saints, so the Broncos would have to trade for him, but since the trade deadline has already past, that wouldn’t be possible.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Broncos rumors ahead of the AFC Championship game against the Patriots.
The Broncos Are All-In on Starting QB Jarrett Stidham vs. Patriots in AFC Championship
Brady may not be making a move to Denver, but the Broncos did add a quarterback ahead of the team’s playoff matchup against the Patriots. The Broncos signed veteran quarterback Ben DiNucci on Sunday, January 18.
Despite plenty of rumors on possible veteran quarterbacks Denver could sign ahead of the AFC Championship, all signs point to the Broncos starting Jarrett Stidham against the Patriots. Head coach Sean Payton made this clear after announcing that Nix would miss the remainder of the season.
“I’ve said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I have a [No.] 2 [quarterback] that’s capable of starting for a handful of, a number of teams,” Payton said of Stidham, per USA Today. “I know he feels the same way. So watch out. Just watch.”
Broncos Rumors: Denver Unlikely to Sign Another QB Before AFC Championship vs. Patriots
The Broncos signing DiNucci seems to indicate the franchise is done making quarterback moves before the AFC Championship. Heavy Sports outlined why Ryan Tannehill could be a fit in Denver, not as a starter but at least providing some veteran insurance.
For now, the Broncos will lean on Stidham and also have Sam Ehlinger as the team’s backup quarterback. DiNucci was likely added to be the Broncos roster as an emergency third quarterback with Nix sidelined. Payton emphasized that Stidham is expected to get the majority of the practice reps ahead of the AFC Championship.
“[Splitting reps on offense] just doesn’t happen; in a workweek, the reps are limited and the starter wants them,” Payton noted, per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. “But one of Stiddy’s strengths is his mental aptitude and his progressions and understanding plays.
“There would be practices I’m like looking at [DC] Vance [Joseph] getting pissed off because Stiddy’s making our defense look bad. He’s very accurate. He’s a got a lot to his ball.”
Broncos fans hoping to see Brady on Sunday will need to watch Fox’s broadcast of the NFC Championship between the Rams and Seahawks.
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