While disappointment engulfed Patriots fans at Empower Field, the message from quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s wife provided a moment of grace. The Denver Broncos suffered a crushing 10-7 AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots. But Kennedy Stidham chose to focus less on the defeat and more on love, gratitude, and support for the team and the city.

“We love this team, we love this city,” Kennedy Stidham wrote on her Instagram story. “Thank yall for the kindest support all week, this city is so special, this team is so special, we wanted this so badly for everyone.”

On Sunday, Jarrett Stidham’s wife took to social media and re-shared the Broncos’ after-game post. After making her feelings clear, she took a moment to thank God. Kennedy has been a vocal supporter of the Broncos all season, way before they assigned the starting role to her husband. 

However, it was extra special this time as Jarrett Stidham stepped onto the field to play the biggest game of his career so far. To celebrate the milestone, Kennedy shared a pre-game picture with him and their three children, writing simply, “We love you.”’

Meanwhile, Stidham’s opportunity to start in the championship game comes after Denver lost their QB1, Bo Nix, to a season-ending ankle injury. It unfolded during the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills, putting the team in a tough spot. Speaking about the injury earlier in the week, Jarrett admitted the situation was heartbreaking.

“It’s crushing because he’s one of my best friends,” Stidham said on January 21, per USA Today’s Brandon Walker. “I see Bo more than I see my kids. So, it’s just one of those things. You spend so much time with someone, you see how hard they work, how good of a teammate they are, and then that happens, and you feel crushed for them and everything. Obviously, my prayers and stuff have been with him.”

It’s not the first time a backup quarterback featured in a high-stakes game. Back in 2015, Brock Osweiler replaced an injured Peyton Manning, going 5-2 as a starter, and helped the Broncos clinch the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed with an eventual 12-4 record. Back then, Denver went on to win Super Bowl 50, the third Vince Lombardi Trophy in the franchise’s history.

History didn’t repeat itself this time around. Despite Stidham leaving no stone unturned ahead of his career-defining game, the night didn’t go his way.

Jarrett Stidham faces backlash for a game-defining mistake

The Broncos started on a firm note against Mike Vrabel’s team, holding a 7-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. But with nearly six minutes left before halftime, the momentum shifted when Stidham committed a costly fumble on a critical second-quarter play. The Patriots gained momentum and eventually walked away with the win, while Jarrett Stidham found himself facing the heat. This turning point came early, but hit the hardest. 

As New England’s linebacker Christian Elliss pressured the QB, he tried to release the ball to avoid a sack. However, that move backfired as his pass attempt went backward, resulting in a live ball that was recovered by linebacker Elijah Ponder. The game’s turning point came on a disastrous sequence for Stidham. Pressured in the pocket, his attempt to throw the ball away resulted in a live-ball fumble, a call confirmed after a brief officials’ conference.

The costly turnover handed the Patriots the ball deep in Broncos territory, an opportunity they quickly converted into a game-tying touchdown. Starting at the opponent’s 12-yard line, the Patriots’ QB Drake Maye finished the drive with a six-yard run, tying the score 7-7 just before halftime. While the Broncos did make other slip-ups on Sunday, this single sequence gave the game away. 

Later on, Stidham tried to make a late-game comeback with a deep pass that ended in an interception. The interception sealed the loss, ending Denver’s final chance to tie the game. Stidham finished the game with 133 passing yards, an interception, and a touchdown. The Patriots also sacked him three times, adding to the growing chatter about his performance. After the game, head coach Sean Payton addressed Stidham’s fumble but refrained from blasting him.

“That was a big play,” Payton said. “I thought he fought hard. Tough conditions.”

The game gave Jarrett Stidham a rare chance to define his career, but the mistakes ultimately turned the moment against him.