It has been recently revealed by many reports that the Denver Broncos have benched starting quarterback Russell Wilson for the last two games. In his place, backup Jarrett Stidham will be the starting quarterback for the squad.
Denver head coach Sean Payton revealed about this move, “We’re desperately trying to get a win. Sure, in our game today, there are economic and all those other things. But number one, the push behind this – and it’s a decision I’m making – is to get a spark offensively.”
As per BR, Wilson’s deal included a $37 million injury guarantee. As a result, the decision taken was financially motivated. However, the squad has expressed a different reason for that, stating that Stidham will give a push to the offense of the Broncos. However, as per the BR report, the Broncos discussed his contract in Week 8 win against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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
According to Jordan Schultz, “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 access to the situation.”
“The Broncos approached Wilson two days after their October 29 upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs and told him he would be made inactive for the rest of the season if he did not adjust his contract and defer the injury guarantee trigger date that he has for 2025. Wilson has $37 million in injury guarantees for 2025 that will become guaranteed no matter what on the fifth day of the 2024 league year in March.”
“At that time, Wilson was coming off a 3-touchdown game in the win over the Chiefs and was starting to experience the type of success he envisioned following a challenging first year in Denver. The threat however, “shocked him,” and the two sides got into a major dispute on how to proceed.”
“The issue remained, but the Broncos stuck with Wilson as the team strung together primetime wins over the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings, followed by another win over the Cleveland Browns, one of the league’s best defenses.”
The nine-time Pro Bowl veteran quarterback has started all fifteen games for the Denver Broncos this season. His pass percentage this season has been 66.4, as provided by the report. He has so far posted 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Russell Wilson is expecting to be cut by the Denver Broncos in March, per league sources. For almost two months, the quarterback has been starting knowing the organization was most likely going to move on him from after this season.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) December 28, 2023
God’s got me.
Looking forward to what’s next.— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) December 28, 2023
However, the veteran quarterback’s time to conclude his season with the Broncos is coming near. Wilson has also optimistically shared that he is looking forward to his next destination.
