Nick Foles understands this moment better than just about anyone.
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After Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix fractured his ankle late in Denver's divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos were left celebrating a victory while bracing for a brutal reality. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed Nix will undergo surgery Tuesday, officially ending his season just two wins short of a Super Bowl appearance.
That leaves Denver turning to Jarrett Stidham for the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, a scenario that has understandably rattled the fan base.
Enter Foles.
The former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, perhaps the most famous backup in NFL history, offered a calm and familiar message on social media.
"Note for the Broncos and their fans: I know it has been an emotional 24 hours. I feel for Bo and the team, and I'm sending prayers for a strong recovery," Foles wrote. "A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games."
That last line was not theory. It was lived experience.
Foles stepped in for an injured Carson Wentz during the Eagles' 2017 season, after Wentz went down with a torn ACL while playing at an MVP level. What followed is part of league folklore. Foles steadied the Eagles, outdueled the Patriots and delivered a Super Bowl title.
That history has not been lost on Broncos fans now staring at a similar script. Some even joked that a 48-year-old Tom Brady might come walking through the door.
More realistically, Foles' message landed exactly where it needed to. Backup quarterbacks have been written off before. Sometimes, that is when the story gets interesting.
