Overview and Answer Summary
Jarret Stidham is an American football quarterback who has played in the National Football League (NFL) primarily with the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders. This profile explains his college background, draft timeline, professional milestones, and verified career stats in a durable, reference-friendly format.
Early Life and Amateur Background
Jarret Stidham was born on August 28, 1996, in Aurora, Missouri. He attended Liberty High School in Liberty, Missouri, where he first gained attention as a dual-threat quarterback. His high school performance set the foundation for his recruitment to college football.
High School Highlights
- Team captain and starting quarterback at Liberty High School
- Earned All-Suburban Gold honors as a senior
- Rushed for over 1,000 yards and passed for more than 1,500 yards in his final high school season
College Football Career
Stidham played college football at the University of Auburn. He served as a key backup to starting quarterback Josh Heupel in 2016 and later became the starter in 2018, leading the Tigers through several critical games.
| Season | Team | GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Auburn | 4 | 0 | 12 | 21 | 57.1 | 176 | 1 | 0 | 137.7 |
| 2017 | Auburn | 13 | 0 | 34 | 57 | 59.6 | 340 | 1 | 1 | 107.7 |
| 2018 | Auburn | 13 | 13 | 227 | 373 | 60.9 | 2,711 | 23 | 7 | 136.6 |
| 2019 | Auburn | 10 | 10 | 202 | 343 | 58.9 | 2,518 | 18 | 6 | 134.3 |
Professional Draft and Early NFL Years
Stidham was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad and did not appear in a regular-season game.
Career Timeline Snapshot
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Drafted by New England Patriots (6th Rd, 204th overall) | Began professional career; learned system behind the scenes |
| 2020–2022 | Spent time on Patriots practice squad / active roster | Limited game action; development-focused years |
| 2023 | Traded to Las Vegas Raiders | Acquired as part of quarterback rebuilding process |
| 2024 | Released by Raiders during final roster cuts | Became free agent; reflecting evolving NFL opportunities |
Notable Achievements and Comparisons
While Stidham has not yet secured a long-term starting role in the NFL, his trajectory is often compared with other late-round quarterback prospects who develop through practice squads and limited action. Key points include:
- Played meaningful reps in college, starting 23 games at Auburn
- Survived multiple roster cuts, showing durability and professionalism
- Transitioned between teams via trade and free agency, typical of career-building quarterbacks
Current Status and What to Watch
As of the most recent offseason, Jarret Stidham is a free agent. His path forward may include signing with a team during training camp or later in preseason. Fans and analysts will likely watch for:
- Performance in preseason competitions
- Depth chart movement if a team faces injuries
- Development in short-yardage or situational packages
Summary and Reference Takeaways
Jarret Stidham represents a familiar archetype in modern NFL evaluation: a quarterback with solid college credentials who is working to secure a durable role at the professional level. His journey through the Patriots and Raiders systems reflects the patience and adaptability often required in today’s league.