The media were around New England Patriots defensive lineman Milt Williams’ locker and the question had to be asked.

What does he know about the quarterback he’s about to face in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, Denver’s Jarrett Stidham?

The answer was honest, as that’s the way Williams always is. He speaks his mind.

“Nothing,” he said. “I ain’t gonna lie nothing. We’re gonna watch the tape on him and figure out what he like to do.

“But no. They didn’t like him over Bo (Nix), so….”

Poor Stidham. He can’t get any respect. He told the media on Wednesday that he went with his kids to Target in the Denver area, and, well, no one recognized him.

Why should they?He hasn’t thrown a pass in nearly 800 days. He appeared in four plays and took a knee in one of them.

Stidham was a class act when the talked to the media, giving credit and sympathy to Nix, the second-year pro who has brought the Broncos to the playoffs two straight years and this year as the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

“Look this is not about myself. Obviously my thoughts and prayers have been with Bo since Saturday night,” he said. “He’s one of my best friends. … I see Bo more than I see my kids.”

Class. But whether he likes it or not, it is about him from here on out to Sunday, and if the Broncos win, beyond because he’ll likely be a factor either way.

You can’t write this script any better. Nearly six years ago, the Patriots had one QB on the roster after Tom Brady left as a free agent – Stidham. That was 2020, the COVID season when training camp didn’t start until early August. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2019. But right around July 1 Bill Belichick opted to sign Cam Newton, and through the training camp held without fans Newton won the job and Brian Hoyer supplanted Stidham as the team’s No. 2 QB.

“Obviously I’m very appreciative of New England giving me a shot in this league, drafting me,” he said. “Obviously, Bill’s not there any more . … Josh McDaniels (current Patriots offensive coordinator) was my play caller, and I’ve only had two play callers in my (NFL) life, Sean (Broncos coach Payton) and Josh. Super appreciative of them for sure, but just fired up for the guys in this locker room and we’re looking forward to Sunday, getting out there and seeing what we got.”

Well if you go by Williams, no one knows what Stidham’s got. We do know that the Patriots were interested in bringing him back as their backup, but he wanted to stay with Denver. Two years at $6 million per probably helped him make up his mind.

But it also might show that Payton considers him valuable enough to have kept him.

Stidham talked like most backups do, saying he’s always prepared every week as if he is the starter. He’s using a “Win it for Bo” attitude as well.

He said like Belichick, Payton makes practices hard, so whatever he sees in a game is “not a shock.”

“I’m just going to go out there and play and be myself,” Stidham said. “I think thats the biggest thing. … What am I asked to do on each and every play, and try to put us in the best position to win.”

Stidham was really good with his media obligation. No nerves. No deer in the headlights. So you’d have to think that’s how he’s going to be on Sunday.

“We’re playing in the AFC Championship, we’re one of the last four teams playing,” he said. “What’s not fun about this?”

Williams might have the answer to that on Sunday.

Tom King may be reached at X @Telegraph_TomK, or via email at tking@nashuatelegraph.com