Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton is at risk of losing his locker room after the team benched quarterback Russell Wilson in Week 17 and missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season.“Look for Russ.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Legvold, I was upset with Russ and many of us were about the decision.Another player added that the timing was odd because Denver (8-9) still has a chance to make the playoffs, and Wilson revealed the exact numbers. In 15 games, he’s completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 tackles, eight interceptions and a 98-plus average.
“We’ve won five games in a row,” the punter said, via Legvold. “We’re all for Jarrett Stidham, but Russ gave it his all.”Denver is 1-1 in two games against Stidham and is averaging 15 points per game. Peyton argued that playing Wilson as a replacement would provide an offensive spark, but he was clearly ruled out and HC suffered a massive upset.
The Broncos could release Wilson this offseason, which would be costly. The move would result in $85 million in dead money, the most for a player since the salary cap began in 1994. Even if Denver spreads the load over the next two seasons, it will hinder their rebuild. “It’s in a little box here,” the general manager told Legvold.
“You’re trying to avoid dead money by hitting because dead money is actually a player you can’t have because of the player you sent and you’re still paying for. The higher the number, the more you can’t have more players.”Acquiring more talent in free agency seems impossible, so Denver needs to pass the draft and find a new franchise QB.
Broncos select Michael Penix Jr. in Bleacher Report mock draft. From Washington – 2023 Heisman finalist – 12th overall. If that process fails, the downward spiral continues, calling into question Payton’s ability to rebuild a crumbling organization.
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