Regarding the Denver Broncos‘ decision to bench starting quarterback Russell Wilson for the next two games, more startling information has surfaced.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed on Wednesday that Wilson would be benched for Weeks 17 and 18 in favor of second-stringer Jarrett Stidham. Wilson would be entitled to $37 million in guaranteed compensation for 2025, according to Tom Pelissero, should he sustain an accident.
Sources: The #Broncos are, in fact, benching Russell Wilson for the final two games, preserving their financial flexibility for the offseason.
Jarrett Stidham starts. pic.twitter.com/8sh7ORek5Q
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
Russell Wilson is due $39 million fully guaranteed in 2024.
Another $37M in 2025 is guaranteed for injury only until the 5th day of the 2024 league year in March, when it would fully vest.
Benching him now sets up the final decision on the Russell Wilson era in a couple months.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 27, 2023
NFL source Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report claims that if the nine-time Pro Bowler refused to accept the injury guarantees included in his contract, the Broncos “threatened to bench” him. According to Schultz’s account, after the Broncos defeated the Chiefs in Week 8, Wilson was contacted by the team regarding this matter:
“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…
When the threat was made by the Broncos, the team, Wilson’s camp, the NFLPA, and another unknown party were involved in negotiations that ended with no change in Wilson’s contract And it all came crashing down today when Sean Payton and other top-level members of Denver’s organization decided to go ahead with the plan they’ve had for weeks.”
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
Is Benching Russell Wilson justified?
Given that Wilson has played better this season under head coach Sean Payton, his benching is unexpected. Up until their heartbreaking Week 16 home defeat to the New England Patriots, the 35-year-old quarterback had Denver in postseason contention. He had thrown 26 touchdowns against just eight interceptions.
Technically, the Broncos (7-8) are still in the running for the playoffs. However, with four teams (the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Cincinnati Bengals) vying for the final wild card place in the 8-7, they’ll need to prevail and receive a lot of assistance.
It’s obvious that the Broncos are putting their long-term prospects ahead of their modest postseason chances. It seems doubtful that the future Hall of Famer will be Denver’s starting quarterback the following season at this rate.