Jarrett Stidham to start Broncos' finale, with Russell Wilson QB2 - ESPN

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton made it official Monday morning, saying Jarrett Stidham will start the season finale Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders in Allegiant Stadium.

Payton, who announced last Wednesday he had benched Russell Wilson and would start Stidham against the Los Angeles Chargers said Monday morning he would keep Stidham behind center to close out the season «with Jarrett as the starter and Russ as the [No.] 2.''

It could mean Wilson, who signed a five-year, $242.6 million contract last year, has played his last game for the Broncos if the team releases him in the offseason. Payton has said repeatedly no decision has been made on Wilson's future with the team and no decision will be made until he and general manager George Paton as well as owner/CEO Greg Penner discuss roster decisions after the season.

Payton said last week he benched Wilson in search of a „spark'' for the offense and moved Stidham in as the starter. Sunday was Stidham's third career start in his four years in the league.

He signed a two-year, $10 million deal last March.

Stidham did not turn the ball over in the Broncos' 16-9 win over the Chargers as he finished 20-of-32 passing for 224 yards and a 54-yard, catch-and-run touchdown by wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey who broke several tackles on the play. Stidham had 95 of his passing yards on the play to Humphrey and another 41-yarder to Jerry Jeudy — both in the first half — to go with 129 yards on his 18 other completions in the game.

The Broncos never trailed in the game. Stidham had 165 of his passing yards, as well as the touchdown throw to Humphrey in the first half. Payton lamented a 0-for-2 performance in the red zone scoring touchdowns, including 0-for-1