Getty Image / Dustin Bradford
Much of the NFL world was stunned Wednesday when it was reported that Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was being benched in favor of backup Jarrett Stidham.
There has been plenty of speculation as to why the move is being made, as the Broncos are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. First-year Denver Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton provided some clarity during Wednesday media availability.
Most of you know, we’ve made a change at quarterback. And I understand all the speculation and everything that surrounds a move like that. And I can tell you, Look, we’re, we’re desperately trying to win. And sure, in our game today, there are economics and all those other things. But the number one, push behind this in, it’s a decision I’m making is to, you know, get a spark offensively. Obviously, it’s difficult. And you all of us feel like, man, we didn’t do well enough. But you know, one of the things we saw when we signed stadium in the offseason was not only film from preseason games, but regular season games. And, you know, he’s a guy that, you know, I’m anxious to see play. And if I didn’t feel like he gave us the chance to win, we wouldn’t be making that either. And so the irony is, obviously he’s, he’s, he was in a situation that many would say, is very similar. And yet, I would say it’s somewhat different. But that’s kind of where we’re at with it. Spent time with Russ this morning. And he’s been a pro and obviously disappointed, but you know, all the work that goes into doing what he does, or doing what they do at that position. It’s difficult. And it’s, it’s difficult and challenging. And, you know, there’s a part of you, certainly, myself as a head coach, that feels like, Man, I needed to be better, because, you know, now, he may, he may need to play, you know, this weekend next weekend. But in regards to the future that we haven’t had a sit down, and I’m sure we will, (Owner Greg Penner) and I and (General Manager George Paton), we speak frequently. But this is about now, and this is about trying to get our eighth and we’ll go from there.
Many believe that the move relates to a $37 million guarantee that will vest if Russell Wilson is unable to pass a physical in the offseason. Some NFL reporters are reporting that this is the case.
Sources to @BleacherReport: The #Broncos threatened to bench Russell Wilson weeks ago if he didn’t remove his injury guarantees.
Russell Wilson’s benching by the Broncos today is solely financially related and has been in the works for weeks, per multiple sources with direct… pic.twitter.com/pmq172Cm1H
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 27, 2023
Payton referenced that line of thinking in his quote at media availability, saying that this was a decision to try to spark them towards a playoff run. But, after losing five of their last six following rebounding from a tough start to be 6-3, the team sits at 7-8, with their playoff odds according to the New York Times Playoff Picture at just 6%.
Denver gave up a king’s ransom to acquire Russell Wilson from Seattle after the 2021 season, but 2022 was a disaster for both Wilson and the Broncos offense. They hired a Super Bowl champion coach in Sean Payton to try to make it work prior to this season. They definitely showed improvement on offense, but it’s nowhere near elite.
With the Broncos committed to Payton long-term, they may be allowing him to build around his chosen quarterback. If you believe the move is more about finances than it is anything else, it makes sense that they are planning to release Wilson in the offseason, despite what would be a record-setting cap hit.
The team has two games left, home against the Chargers and on the road against the Raiders.