Can Broncos’ Jarrett Stidham join Plunkett, Foles on exclusive list of backup QBs to win Super Bowl?
When Jarrett Stidham takes the field for the Broncos on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game, he will be trying to join an exclusive list.
In place of Bo Nix, who suffered a broken ankle against the Bills and is out for the season, Stidham will attempt to become one of the few backup quarterbacks to lead his team to a Super Bowl title.
Here is a look at some other backup quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl:
Earl Morrall (1970 Colts)
When: Super Bowl V
What happened: Earl Morrall had filled in for Johnny Unitas twice during the regular season before replacing him in the Super Bowl due to Unitas sustaining a rib injury. Morrall completed 7 of 15 passes for 147 yards in the Colts’ 16-13 win. The game featured 11 turnovers.
Jim Plunkett (1980 Raiders)
When: Super Bowl XV
What happened: Jim Plunkett replaced starter Dan Pastorini in Week 5 and went on to a magical season that ended with the Raiders’ 27-10 Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Plunkett was named Super Bowl MVP as well as NFL Comeback Player of the Year. The Raiders became the first wild-card team to win the Super Bowl.

Jeff Hostetler (1990 Giants)
When: Super Bowl XXV
What happened: One of the most famous Super Bowls was won by a backup quarterback. While Super Bowl XXV is known for Bills kicker Scott Norwood’s missed field goal as time expired, Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler was another big storyline. He took over for an injured Phil Simms in Week 15 and ended up winning the Super Bowl. He passed for 222 yards in the 20-19 win.
Kurt Warner (1999 Rams)
When: Super Bowl XXXIV
What happened: The undrafted Kurt Warner took over the then-St. Louis Rams in the preseason when Trent Green suffered a torn ACL injury. Warner led one of the best offenses in history and won both NFL MVP and the Super Bowl MVP after the Rams beat the Titans 23-16.
Trent Dilfer (2000 Ravens)
When: Super Bowl XXXV
What happened: After struggling to score through the beginning of the season, Trent Dilfer took over for Tony Banks in Week 8. The Ravens, led by one of the best defenses in NFL history, lost that Week 8 game but never lost again on their way to a 34-7 Super Bowl win with Dilfer under center.
Tom Brady (2001 Patriots)
When: Super Bowl XXXVI
What happened: The NFL’s greatest quarterback earned his first start due to an injury to Drew Bledsoe in 2001. Tom Brady took over for Bledsoe in Week 2 and the rest is history. The Patriots went to the Super Bowl and beat “The Greatest Show on Turf” Rams 20-17 on a last-second field goal set up by Brady. He won Super Bowl MVP and went on to win six more titles.

Nick Foles (2017 Eagles)
When: Super Bowl LII
What happened: Foles is the most recent backup to lead his team to a Super Bowl title. Foles came in for an injured Carson Wentz in Week 14 and helped the Eagles to the top seed. The Eagles were underdogs in every playoff game but beat the Falcons, Vikings and the Brady-led Patriots on the way to a 41-33 Super Bowl win. Foles was the game’s MVP.




