Earlier this month, the Denver Broncos made the decision to cut former starting quarterback Russell Wilson and go in a different direction at quarterback. The move was not cheap, but it doesn’t sound like head coach Sean Payton has any regrets.
Russell Wilson still had $85 million in fully guaranteed money on his contract when the Broncos decided to cut him earlier this month. That means that the team will now have to account for that dead cap money on their salary cap for the next two years, marking the largest dead cap hit from any single player in league history.
But during a recent interview with a reporter at the NFL’s annual league meetings, Sean Payton made it clear that the decision was worth it.
“Was it difficult with Russ, knowing that the dead cap consequences were so severe to make that decision to let him go?” the reporter asked Payton.
Payton had an immediate and blunt response, in a video shared by ML Football.
“No,” Payton said without hesitation at all.
Obviously, this is a pretty brutal message from Payton about Wilson, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media.
Tht 4 win season is gonna hit so hard https://t.co/mvAMWxqzFo
— Leek ☄️ (@Jayquan57) March 26, 2024
This brother HATES Russell Wilson’s guts😂😭 https://t.co/BDXX8ZqF71
— Sammy (@sammy______G) March 26, 2024
He's not a fan of the "Character" type persona Russ plays into https://t.co/s1FEWywk8k
— Kade Nix (@kadesdraftroom) March 26, 2024
He one of the most egotistical coaches in the league… https://t.co/bGX5wPM2ez
— Shredd (@BUILTTOSHREDDD_) March 26, 2024
Russ will make them pay next season, count on it https://t.co/giba8RLv1C
— Jman (@SteelShowYo) March 26, 2024
😂😭 he sounds like my principal when I asked him if there was a way I could stay at the HS before he kicked me out my sophomore year https://t.co/MKCwIJcfrV
— King Of Kings 👑 (@Gllking22) March 27, 2024
We’ll have to see how Wilson performs after signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
