Whatever the Denver Broncos are cooking up for the 2025 season, it seems like something players are willing to do anything to be a part of.
For recently released quarterback Sam Ehlinger, that means returning to Denver on the practice squad instead of taking an opportunity to be on a 53-man roster elsewhere.
“Sources: #Broncos backup QB Sam Ehlinger turned down two 53-man roster opportunities on other teams (he is not subject to waivers as a vested veteran), to start the season on the Denver’s practice squad,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account on August 27. “Ehlinger loves the Broncos’ QB room with Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham + rising star QBs coach Davis Webb, and believes in the team and their bright future.”
Ehlinger signed a 1-year, $1.33 million free agent contract with the Broncos on April 2 and was released on August 26 on the final day of roster cuts. Denver decided to keep just 2 quarterbacks on the roster in starter Nix and longtime backup Stidham.
Both QB2 Candidates Had Starting Experience
When it comes to career starts, Stidham has 4 starts in 6 seasons compared to 3 starts for Ehlinger through his first 3 seasons with the Colts.
Stidham is 1-3 in his 4 starts while Ehlinger is 0-3. It should also be pointed out both players started games for teams late in the season when little aside from pride was on the line.
Ehlinger could still thrive as the Broncos’ emergency third quarterback by showing he’s capable of learning Payton’s offense and being a reliable option on the roster. Just look at what happened with Zach Wilson in 2024, where he spent the entire season as QB3 before signing a 1-year, $6 million contract to be the backup quarterback on the Miami Dolphins in 2025.
Ehlinger Could Be Capable Fill In For Nix or Stidham
One advantage Ehlinger has is he’s probably a little more of a facsimile to Nix when it comes to what they can do on the field.
In his 3 starts in 2022 for the Colts, Ehlinger was 64-of-101 passing for 573 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions while rushing for 87 yards and averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Ehlinger’s path to the NFL went through one of the most famous high school football programs in the country at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, which has also produced Super Bowl winning quarterbacks in Drew Brees and Nick Foles, along with a potential 2026 No. 1 overall pick in Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Ehlinger, 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, starred at the University of Texas from 2017 to 2020, where he was a 4-year starter. He earned both Sugar Bowl MVP and Alamo Bowl MVP honors.
As a senior in 2020, Ehlinger was named All-Big 12 in a pandemic shortened season with 2,566 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 5 interceptions to go with 377 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in just 10 games.
“They don’t come much tougher than Ehlinger at the position, and his intangibles are as good as you could ask for,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in 2021. “He’s a very average passer, but can deliver most throws with good enough accuracy and velocity to hit the open target.”
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