​Sam Ehlinger is entering an important stretch with the Denver Broncos as he looks to carve out a more permanent role in their quarterback room. The former Texas standout, who was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has spent the early part of his NFL career trying to prove he can be a dependable backup quarterback at the professional level.
During his time with the Colts, Ehlinger appeared in eight regular-season games and made three starts. He completed 63.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 573 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. He finished his Indianapolis tenure with a 76.1 quarterback rating. While those numbers did not establish him as a long-term starter, they did give him valuable NFL experience and showed that he could handle live-game situations when called upon.
Ehlinger remained with the Colts through the 2024 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025. He did not sign during the first few waves of free agency, but his opportunity eventually came on March 31, when he agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos. The move brought him into a quarterback room led by Bo Nix, who was coming off a promising rookie season, and veteran Jarrett Stidham, who was already viewed as the team’s primary backup. That left Ehlinger entering camp as the likely third quarterback, but also with a chance to make an impression on Denver’s coaching staff.
Throughout training camp and the preseason, Ehlinger made the most of his opportunities. He performed well enough to create a difficult decision for the Broncos when final roster cuts arrived. Although Denver ultimately released him as part of its final roster moves, the organization hoped to bring him back on the practice squad. Ehlinger had other options and reportedly received chances to join a 53-man roster elsewhere, but he chose to remain with the Broncos.
That decision said a lot about his comfort level in Denver. Reports indicated that Ehlinger had quickly developed strong relationships with Nix and Stidham, enjoyed the dynamic of the quarterback room, and appreciated working with quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, who has since moved into a larger role as offensive coordinator and play-caller. Ehlinger was also said to be optimistic about the direction of the Broncos as a team, which made staying in Denver an appealing choice even without an immediate spot on the active roster.
The Broncos rewarded Ehlinger’s commitment during the season by elevating him to the 53-man roster multiple times, including for the AFC Championship Game. However, he did not appear in a regular-season or postseason game for Denver in 2025. Even without live action, he remained a valued part of the organization, contributing on the practice field, in meetings, and as an experienced presence behind Nix and Stidham.
After the season, Ehlinger once again reached free agency. Denver had several internal free agents to evaluate, and the team ultimately decided to bring him back on a one-year contract worth $2 million. The deal gives Ehlinger another opportunity to compete for a roster spot and potentially push Stidham for the backup quarterback job behind Nix.
Ehlinger’s profile remains intriguing because of his college production, leadership traits, and mobility. At 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, he is not the biggest quarterback in the league, but he plays with toughness and confidence. Now 27 years old and entering his sixth NFL season, he has enough experience to understand what teams expect from a backup quarterback. He also still has room to continue developing in an offense that values timing, decision-making, and command at the line of scrimmage.
As things currently stand, Ehlinger appears to be projected as the Broncos’ third quarterback. Bo Nix is locked in as the starter after his encouraging rookie campaign, and Stidham remains the established veteran backup. Still, offseason buzz has suggested that Ehlinger may be making a legitimate push for the QB2 role. If he can build on last year’s training camp and preseason performance, he could make the competition more interesting than expected.
For Ehlinger, the 2026 offseason will be about consistency. He needs to show the coaching staff that he can protect the football, operate the offense efficiently, and be ready to play if needed. Backup quarterbacks are often judged less by highlight plays and more by reliability, preparation, and trust. Ehlinger has already earned some trust inside the building by choosing to remain with Denver when other opportunities were available. Now he has to turn that trust into a stronger on-field case.
The Broncos may ultimately decide to keep the same quarterback structure, with Nix as the starter, Stidham as the backup, and Ehlinger as the third option. However, Ehlinger’s familiarity with the system, relationship with the coaching staff, and steady development could give him a real chance to climb the depth chart. At the very least, he gives Denver valuable depth at the game’s most important position.
Sam Ehlinger’s future with the Broncos will likely be determined by his performance during offseason workouts, training camp, and the preseason. If he continues to show growth and command of the offense, he could make Denver’s quarterback decision more difficult once again. Whether he opens the season as QB2 or QB3, Ehlinger remains a player worth watching as the Broncos prepare for the 2026 season.