The Broncos consider the option of Ryan Tannehill as QB to reach the Super Bowl

The Denver Broncos are suddenly navigating unfamiliar territory. Just one win away from the Super Bowl, the franchise must now chart a new course at quarterback after rookie Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury, forcing head coach Sean Payton to elevate Jarrett Stidham into the starting role.

While Payton has publicly committed to Stidham, questions remain about depth and readiness at the most important position on the field. That uncertainty has sparked growing speculation about whether Denver could explore the free-agent market - including the possibility of adding former Pro Bowl quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Ryan Tannehill emerges as a surprising but logical option

CBS Sports' John Breech recently explored a list of unconventional quarterback possibilities for Denver following Nix's injury. While some of the names mentioned were unrealistic - including retired legends - Tannehill stood out as the most practical option.

Breech described Tannehill as the most compelling candidate given the current landscape.

"As crazy as it sounds, this might actually be Denver's most intriguing option," Breech wrote in a January 18, 2026, story titled "Six wild QB options for Broncos after shocking Bo Nix injury: Tom Brady can't play, but two other MVPs could."

"Tannehill hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since Week 18 of the 2023 season, which sounds like a long time ago, but his last pass actually came on the same day that Stidham threw his last regular-season pass."

That detail matters. Stidham, despite being named the starter, has not completed a pass since 2023 and saw only minimal action during the 2025 season. In terms of recent game reps, Tannehill and Stidham are operating from similar baselines.

Tannehill's resume, however, includes far more experience on the big stage.

"The best part for the Broncos is that Tannehill does have some playoff experience: He led the Titans to the AFC title game in 2019 and then one year later, he helped lead Tennessee to the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC," Breech added.

"Tannehill was coached in Tennessee by Mike Vrabel, who might end up being Denver's opponent this year if his Patriots can beat the Texans on Sunday. Tannehill also has some mobility, which is something Payton would probably prefer to have."

That mobility could be particularly appealing in Payton's offensive system, which values quarterbacks who can extend plays and operate efficiently outside structure.

A veteran insurance policy, not a replacement

No one is suggesting that Denver should hand Tannehill the playbook and start him days before the AFC Championship Game. That scenario is highly unlikely. However, the idea of signing Tannehill as an emergency veteran option carries logic.

The Broncos already have Sam Ehlinger as their third quarterback, but Tannehill brings something different: postseason experience, leadership, and a track record of handling pressure.

While Tannehill's final season with Tennessee in 2023 was statistically underwhelming - he threw for limited yardage with more interceptions than touchdowns - context matters. He was playing behind a struggling offense and was dealing with injuries throughout the year.

Importantly, his football résumé includes a Pro Bowl appearance and a four-year, $118 million contract, proof that league executives once viewed him as a franchise-caliber quarterback.

Denver's current position is too close to the finish line to ignore every possible contingency. With Stidham lacking recent game action and the stakes at their highest point in years, hosting Tannehill for a workout could be a low-risk, high-upside move.

NFL teams have taken bigger gambles before. The Indianapolis Colts famously experimented with a late-career quarterback return this season, and while imperfect, it demonstrated that veteran arms can still function with proper preparation.

For the Broncos, this isn't about replacing Stidham. It's about protecting their Super Bowl hopes with every option on the table.