Stafford completed 22 of 35 pass attempts for 374 yards and three touchdowns while adding two carries for 16 yards in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.

The veteran gunslinger walked into a harsh road environment against the league's stingiest defense in 2025 (17.2 points allowed/game) and twirled a statistical gem despite failing one game short of a Super Bowl appearance. The loss brings Stafford's MVP-caliber campaign to a close, and he finished three postseason contests averaging 312.0 passing yards with six total passing touchdowns to one interception. Stafford was one of the top producers in fantasy this year, as he amassed 4,707 passing yards and a career-high 46 touchdowns in 17 starts during the regular season. The 38-year-old blew past his draft value after a preseason back injury quelled expectations to start his 16th season in the pros. Stafford will likely run it back with the Rams in 2026 for the final year of his current deal with both of his superstar wide receivers (Puka Nacua and Davante Adams) in tow, so he should be a popular pick in fantasy drafts next year.

Maye completed 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 10-7 win over the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. He added 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

Maye managed to complete deep shots of 31 and 20 yards but was ineffective as a passer for most of the game. However, he took advantage of a turnover by Jarrett Stidham late in the second and punched in New England's only touchdown of the game with a six-yard scramble two plays later. Maye hasn't moved the offense very effectively in the Patriots' last two matchups, though he protected the ball against the Broncos and used his legs well, finishing second on New England in rushing yards (65) behind Rhamondre Stevenson (71) on a day when blizzard conditions made the sledding difficult -- especially for both teams' passing games -- in the second half.

Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception while adding four rushes for 23 yards in the Broncos' 10-7 loss to the Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. He also lost a fumble.

Getting the starting nod in place of Bo Nix (IR, ankle), Stidham set an encouraging tone early by leading a five-play, 59-yard drive on Denver's second possession that included a 52-yard completion to Marvin Mims and was capped off by a six-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton. However, that would be the extent of Denver's points on the afternoon, with increasingly deteriorating weather in the second half playing a significant role. Stidham's two turnovers were also costly, as his fumble came at his own 14-yard line early in the third quarter and led to New England's only touchdown, while his interception on a deep throw to Mims shortly before the two-minute warning snuffed out the Broncos' final hope to tie the game. Considering he had to open the game already down a key receiver in Troy Franklin (hamstring) and then also lost Pat Bryant to a hamstring issue in the second quarter, Stidham did a solid job in his first taste of game action in anything other than a preseason setting since the 2023 regular season; however, the combination of the elements, the Patriots defense and perhaps some of his own rust helped lead to a narrow loss.

Nix is expected to require 12 weeks to heal after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair his broken right ankle, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

According to Schefter, Nix will be barred from putting weight on his right ankle for the next four weeks following surgery, and he'll then need around eight weeks to complete the rehab process before he's ready to resume on-field work. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that Nix received good news upon undergoing surgery, as his injured ankle had "limited ligament damage and no joint surface damage." Given the estimated recovery timeline, Nix doesn't look like he'll be available for the start of Denver's offseason program, though he could be fully cleared for OTAs and minicamp in the late spring. With Nix sidelined for the duration of the Broncos' playoff run, Jarrett Stidham will step in as the team's starting quarterback in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.

The Broncos placed Nix (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Nix was already ruled out for the rest of the playoffs after breaking a bone in his ankle during the Broncos' 33-30 overtime win over the Bills during the AFC divisional round. His move to injured reserve is a procedural one, given that it opens a space on the Broncos' roster for center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder), who was activated from IR in a corresponding move. Jarrett Stidham will start at quarterback for the Broncos against the Patriots during Sunday's AFC Championship Game while Sam Ehlinger serves as the backup.

Darnold (oblique) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Rams, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Darnold was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday as he continues to manage an oblique injury that occurred in practice last Thursday, but he'll be available to face the Rams on Sunday. In this past Saturday's 41-6 divisional-round win over the 49ers, Darnold was efficient with modest volume, completing 12 of his 17 passing attempts for 124 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers en route to compiling a 110.9 passer rating.

Darnold (oblique) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Darnold played through an oblique injury during this past Saturday's divisional-round win against the 49ers, completing 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while taking two sacks. He's so far logged back-to-back capped sessions this week, but it's unclear if he's thrown any passes, as coach Mike Macdonald told Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune prior to Thursday's practice that he'd like Darnold to do so before Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the Rams. Darnold will have one more chance to prove his health Friday before the Seahawks potentially give him a designation ahead of the weekend.

San Francisco signed Martinez to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Martinez spent most of the 2025 season on the 49ers' and the Jets' practice squads, taking just one snap with San Francisco in Week 9 against the Giants to execute the game-ending kneel down. It appears the 49ers saw something they liked in Martinez, though, so he'll be staying with them to begin the 2026 league year.

Darnold (oblique) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

After Darnold played through a left oblique injury this past Saturday against the 49ers, coach Mike Macdonald told Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle that the quarterback would be "day-to-day" this week. Macdonald said Wednesday that Darnold "continues to get better," but the Seahawks will cap his number of throws due to the health concern, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. Darnold himself relayed to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic on Wednesday that he "felt good" in the wake of the divisional round, but he also needs "to get my body right to be ready" for Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the Rams. In the end, Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Darnold heads into the weekend with a designation.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects Jones to be with the 49ers for 2026, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

General manager John Lynch also praised Jones but didn't comment on expectations for next season. Jones went 5-3 as a starter while completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 7.4 YPA, giving the 49ers a fantastic return on their investment in the first season of a two-year, $8.4 million contract. He probably won't be content to return to San Francisco as an underpaid backup, but his contract does give the team some leverage in discussions about a trade or raise.