The Patriots considered signing Broncos reserve quarterback Jarrett Stidham last offseason. “I guess it was kind of ironic,” New England coach Mike Vrabel told reporters at a news conference Monday. “Just speaking with his agent, they’re like: ‘If you don’t want to get your starter hu rt, sign Jared.’ That was before … two days ago.” Stidham re-signed in Denver and is back on New England’s radar for different reasons. The Broncos host the Patriots for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Stidham is the starting quarterback after Bo Nix sustained a season-ending ankle injury in the AFC divisional playoff win over Buffalo. Stidham last started an NFL game on Jan. 7, 2024, with the Broncos. That didn’t stop Vrabel from giving high praise. “I think (Stidham) sees things really well. I think he’s athletic enough to extend (plays),” Vrabel said. “The accuracy. The decision making. He’s really decisive in the games that we went back and watched. This was even going back to when I was (the head coach) in Tennessee as well.” New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, speaks with quarterback Brian Hoyer (5) as quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) warms up during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Broncos might be thin at wide receiver, too, with injuries in the divisional round to Pat Bryant (concussion) and Troy Franklin (hamstring). Yet New England is not giving Denver any bulletin-board material. “They’ve got some good receivers out there,” Patriots safety Craig Woodson told reporters. “They’ve got some guys that can make plays on the perimeter and even at running back. … We’ll be tuned in.” Vrabel is a former NFL linebacker who spent eight of 14 seasons in New England. Vrabel played in a 2006 AFC divisional round playoff game against the Broncos. He logged six tackles and one sack Denver advanced with a 27-13 victory. Vrabel said the Patriots’ focus is “starting well and not beating ourselves” playing in a challenging road environment at elevation. “Just play well and try to be prepared,” Vrabel said. “The better condition that you are (in), the less of an impact that’s going to make.” The Patriots are 5.5-point betting favorites, according to Fan Duel, after not losing a game away from Gillette Stadium in the regular season. “Shoot, our record says it. We’re 8-0 on the road,” Woodson told reporters. “So, I don’t think there is anything that we really need to change up. We’ve had success on the road. We’re going to continue to have success.” The Broncos have mutual respect for the AFC’s No. 2 playoff seed. “The Patriots are obviously a hell of a team,” defensive lineman Zach Allen said on a Monday teleconference call. “For them to win as many games as they’ve won this year, and to be in this spot, they’re obviously doing something right. You can tell just across the board they’re really deep at every position, and they’re really well coached. It will be a challenge. … (Quarterback) Drake Maye is playing really good ball. He can kind of do it all. It’s going to be a challenge, but we’ll be ready for it.” ...read more read less