It’s been a rough couple of seasons for Russell Wilson for the Denver Broncos including a brutal loss to the New England Patriots this weekend. And as a result, it sounds like he has started his last game for the team this season.
According to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has decided to bench Russell Wilson and will start veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham in this week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Change in Denver: Broncos’ HC Sean Payton has informed his team that Jarrett Stidham will start Sunday vs. the Chargers, with Russell Wilson as the backup, per sources. With a 1-3 record in the last four games, Denver is looking to spark its offense and see what it has in Stidham,” Schefter wrote in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Change in Denver: Broncos’ HC Sean Payton has informed his team that Jarrett Stidham will start Sunday vs. the Chargers, with Russell Wilson as the backup, per sources.
With a 1-3 record in the last four games, Denver is looking to spark its offense and see what it has in… pic.twitter.com/P6X2DO0jT7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2023
This is obviously horrible news for Wilson, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media as a result.
So presuming Russell Wilson is cut, his deal will have cost the Broncos $124 million for two years, when he was already under contract for those years at the time of the trade for $51 million (a $73 million raise).
Add that to all the picks that went to Seattle and … Yikes.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 27, 2023
The #Broncos are benching QB Russell Wilson and will start Jarrett Stidham on Sunday vs. the Chargers.
Wilson has $37M that becomes guaranteed if he can't pass a physical in the offseason. Denver could try to get out of his contract this offseason — and this could be a step… pic.twitter.com/RciY2SFEy4
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 27, 2023
One of the worst trades in NFL history. https://t.co/2B4aNz4IQX
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) December 27, 2023
There’s nothing wrong with admitting you made a big mistake. https://t.co/SaZpZbBzkQ
— J.O. (@JO_NYG_NYK) December 27, 2023
Stidham to come in out of the bullpen for the final 2 games of the season…..again https://t.co/BhixJmqDmj
— Your Boy Q (@YourboyQ254) December 27, 2023
https://twitter.com/bobano/status/1740062002792505635?s=20
We’ll have to see whether or not this move ultimately spells the end for Wilson in Denver after the blockbuster trade that landed him there before the 2022 season.
