Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles has once again thrown a playful jab at the New England Patriots, this time while offering words of encouragement to the Denver Broncos ahead of their crucial playoff game.
A Message of Support and a Memorable Jab
The drama unfolded after the Denver Broncos' thrilling overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, January 17, 2026. In a devastating turn, starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle on one of the game's final plays, ending his season. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed Nix would undergo surgery and be replaced by journeyman Jarrett Stidham for the upcoming AFC Championship game.
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, Nick Foles took to the social media platform X to address the Broncos and their fans. "Note for the Broncos and their fans: I know it has been an emotional 24 hours," Foles wrote. "I feel for Bo and the team, and I'm sending prayers for a strong recovery." He then added the pointed remark that has since gone viral: "A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games."
The History Behind the Comment
Foles' comment is a direct reference to his own legendary performance in Super Bowl LII in 2018. As a backup quarterback who took over after Carson Wentz's season-ending injury, Foles led the Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl victory, defeating Tom Brady and the heavily favored Patriots. In that game, Foles threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, and even caught a touchdown pass on the famous "Philly Special" trick play.
The Broncos now find themselves in a strikingly similar situation, with a backup quarterback thrust into the spotlight for the biggest game of the year. Jarrett Stidham, who has just four career NFL starts, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He spent two seasons in New England before stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and, ultimately, signing with Denver in 2023.
What's Next for the Broncos?
With Stidham set to start, the Broncos signed former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci on Monday to serve as the backup. The top-seeded Broncos, who won the AFC West, are aiming to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2015, when they defeated the Carolina Panthers.
Foles' message serves as both a morale boost for a team facing adversity and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of playoff football, where backup quarterbacks can sometimes make history at the expense of the New England Patriots.
