Sam Ehlinger joins the Broncos as their third-string quarterback replacing Zach Wilson who signed with the Dolphins
Last season, the Broncos carried three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Those three quarterbacks were rookie starter Bo Nix, veteran backup Jarrett Stidham, and former number two overall pick Zach Wilson. However, Stidham and Wilson would be free agents this offseason, and the team would likely have to choose between the two players. In the end, the Broncos re-signed Jarrett Stidham and allowed Zach Wilson to enter free agency. Wilson would ultimately sign with the Miami Dolphins as their backup quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa.
With Wilson leaving, the Broncos now had a vacant third-stri ng quarterback spot available. They would show some interest in some late-round quarterback prospects early in the draft process, but would end up signing former Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger for that role.
The former Texas standout quarterback would be a 6th-round selection by the Colts in the 2021 NFL Draft. While he was primarily a backup quarterback for them, he received a total of three starts during his time with the team. The Colts would lose all three of those games, and Ehlinger totaled 573 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, while completing 63.4% of his passes and having a quarterback rating of 76.1. Not an amazing stat line, but also not terrible for a third-string quarterback.
Now, he enters his first season with the Broncos as the unquestioned third-string quarterback and hoping to show enough to stick around with the team throughout the season.
Player Profile
Sam Ehlinger | Quarterback | Broncos
Height: 6-1
Weight: 221 pounds
Age: 26 years old
Experience: 5th NFL season
Broncos QB Sam Ehlinger’s 2025 Outlook
Ehlinger looks destined for the practice squad and to be the Broncos’ third-string quarterback. It is unlikely that he will challenge Stidham for the backup role and will be their emergency third-string quarterback on the practice squad.
He will run the third-team offense throughout training camp and play in the second half of the Broncos’ upcoming preseason games. I don’t think he will make the 53-man roster and may not even be a lock for the third-string practice squad spot. Other quarterbacks will likely become available after final cuts, and Ehlinger will have to perform well enough to prove to the Broncos coaches he deserves to stick around.
Like most, if not all, third-string quarterbacks, you hope you never see them on the field outside of the preseason. So, hopefully, Ehlinger has a strong summer, sticks around on the practice squad, and we never see him play outside of the preseason.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t too much else to say here. He’s likely destined to be the practice squad quarterback, which will open up a roster spot for someone else on the Broncos roster. I am not 100% sure if he is a lock for that role, but that will all depend on how he performs during camp and the preseason.
Again, hopefully, Ehlinger is someone we only see during the preseason and can provide the Broncos with some good depth in the quarterback room on and off the field.