Russell Wilson benched by Broncos, setting up huge questions for important offseason (Updated)

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Last edited Fri Dec 29, 2023, 09:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Russell Wilson and Sean Payton was always going to be a year-to-year relationship. If Wilson took off under Payton, they could live happily together for years to come.

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The Broncos are, at least, hedging their bets on Wilson. The Broncos are benching the QB, sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein, leaving open the possibility of moving on this offseason. Wilson's $37 million salary for 2025 becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2024 league year and is also guaranteed for injury, according to Spotrac. (If Wilson were to suffer a major long-term injury in Week 17 or 18, that $37 million would be guaranteed.) The Broncos want to keep their options open going into the offseason.

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What is Russell Wilson's future

Wilson hasn't been bad this season, but he has had some flat spots. That includes a rough start to a bad loss against the New England Patriots in Week 16 that practically eliminated the Broncos from the playoff race.

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Moving on from Wilson won't be easy. There's the matter of a massive, $85 million dead salary-cap hit if they cut him, though that can be spread out over two years if the Broncos designate him a post-June 1 release.

https://sports.yahoo.com/russell-wilson-benched-by-broncos-setting-up-huge-questions-for-important-offseason-171057586.html

They were eager to make that trade.

Update: Russell Wilson confirms Broncos benched him after demanding he change his contract

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke to reporters Friday about Russell Wilson's benching and maintained his story about it being a football move. Moments later, the quarterback flipped the script.

Wilson wasn't scheduled to address the media. But when approached in the locker room, he took the opportunity to confirm media reports that Denver's front office told him he would be benched for the team's final nine games unless he agreed to delay a contract trigger guaranteeing his 2025 salary.

“They came up to me during the bye week and beginning of the bye week, Monday or Tuesday, they told me if I didn’t change my contract, my injury guarantee, that I’d be benched the rest of the year,” Wilson said. “I was definitely disappointed about it. It was a process for the whole bye week. We had just come off beating the Chiefs, I was excited for us fighting for the playoffs and getting on a hot streak. Then the NFLPA and NFL got involved, or whatever, at some point.”

The 35-year-old was candid about his feelings on the situation. Even if he wasn't, the emotion is all over his face:

Link to tweet

https://sports.yahoo.com/russell-wilson-confirms-broncos-benched-him-after-demanding-he-change-his-contract-234647357.html

[calguy]

2. We could all see this coming

Trading for Wilson has to be one of the biggest blunders in NFL history. It's right up there with the Forty Niners trading the farm for Trey Lance. Russell's looked and acted like he's only showing up to collect a big paycheck, as far as what I've seen.
Sean Payton didn't pick this guy, he just inherited him. He probably went to the ownership and said as much. He can't win with this over-the-hill QB, so they're better off admitting their mistake, taking the salary cap hit, and moving on.

[LiberalLovinLug]

3. As a Seahawks fan, I'm so glad that prima donna is gone.

[calguy]

5. Us Niner fans were glad to see him gone, too

Wilson had a good run in Seattle, and he got the better of us more often than not. But he's well beyond his prime, and Pete Carrol knew it. My hat's off to the Seahawk's management for unloading him off to Denver at top dollar. That trade has set Denver back for years to come, while Seattle is well into rebuilding for the future.

As much as I hate your team and you probably hate mine, I want both teams to prosper so we can continue watching the fierce rivalry games we've grown accustomed to over years. May your team continue to improve, as long as you stay a half-notch below the Niners. (just kidding)

[LisaM]

10. As someone who lives in Seattle, but not a Seahawks fan, I, too

am glad that prima donna is gone. I never liked him, starting with how he always seemed to ignore his four years at NC State and acted as if he has always been at Wisconsin.

He also gives me the heebie-jeebies. When he called in from bed with Ciara to (short -term) accept a contract extension after a holdout and she chimed in, people should have realized at that point he'd left football behind as a priority.

I was mostly glad he left because finally some people I know wised up to him.

[El Supremo]

4. Should never have given up Drew Locke.

Hell, Tim Tebow was better than Wilson!

[True Dough]

6. You want him back in Seattle, Yo_Mama?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. No

[calguy]

8. I'm sure Russ doesn't mind

sitting on the bench the rest of this season and all of next season too.
He was only showing up to collect a paycheck anyway, and he's guaranteed to make 34 million next year, so it's all good for him.
I'd say he should be investigated for grand larceny.