In a brief but profound reaction, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton clarified the team’s decision to part ways with Russell Wilson.
According to the MLFootball account on X (previously Twitter), on March 25, a reporter asked Payton during the annual NFL team owner’s conference, “Was it difficult with Russ (Wilson) knowing that the dead cap consequences were so severe to make that decision to let him go?”
After drinking his coffee, Payton responded with a straight face: “No.”
The second-year Broncos coach only needed one phrase to end a brief but tense working relationship with the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
But when he elaborated on their decision to release Wilson, the 2006 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year delivered a standard statement.
“We believed it was in the best interests of our team. As we move forward, we’re in the midst of free agency and prepping for the draft. We’ll look at both of those options to address not only quarterback but also the other positions on our team,” Payton stated at the AFC Coaches Breakfast on March 25, as reported by News9’s Mike Klis.
Wilson was the Broncos’ starting quarterback when Payton took over from Nathaniel Hackett and interim coach Jerry Rosburg last season. His addition helped Denver improve from 5-12 in 2022 to 8-9 last season.
Despite Wilson’s improved performance under Payton, their relationship remained acrimonious. Payton’s violent argument with Wilson during their 2023 Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions revealed their fragile friendship.
Worse, Wilson lost his starting job to Jarrett Stidham with two regular-season games remaining. Lindsay Jones, Senior NFL Editor for The Ringer, said that Payton addressed the change in a press conference on December 27, 2023, saying, “We need a spark. We need something right now. We’ll deal with the long-term issues when the time comes, but we’re not there yet.”
Roman Harper understood that the Payton-Wilson combination would be devastating for the Broncos.
Harper was picked by the Saints in 2006, the same year Payton succeeded Jim Haslett as head coach. The Pro Bowl safety spent eight seasons in the NFL, including two stints with New Orleans. As a result, the Alabama defensive back understands how his former coach wants to encourage success.
Unfortunately, Wilson’s playing style goes against Payton’s winning formula.
“Wilson was never a natural fit. Russ likes to cook. It’s more of an off-schedule, roll around (style). Harper told Sean Keeler of The Denver Post on March 12 that it’s never a three- or five-step drop-and-throw. “Sean (Payton) would probably prefer his offense to be run and coordinated. It was a little challenging for Russ. So the split never surprised me.”
Even though Payton emphasizes timing and precision, Wilson scrambled more when the Super Bowl-winning head coach took over last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson had 36 undesigned rushes in 2023, eight more than in 2022. Conversely, his dropbacks decreased from 569 to 530.
While Wilson went off script, the Broncos won more games under Payton’s leadership. However, when it meant the most, the veteran quarterback struggled, tossing six touchdowns and four interceptions in their final four regular-season games in 2023.
Wilson’s inaccuracy resulted in three defeats in his last four games as a starter, removing them from playoff contention. The New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Chargers, who defeated them, both hold top-5 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Sean Payton will let Jarrett Stidham to play first-team snaps while leaving other alternatives open.
Russell Wilson’s departure has left the Broncos with a significant quarterback gap. Even if mock drafts show the Broncos will select a quarterback in the first round, Payton will give Stidham a chance to prove himself a deserving starter.
According to “The Rich Eisen Show” YouTube channel, Payton stated during the March 25 AFC coaches’ breakfast during the NFL owners meeting, “We still really feel positive about this player, and we’re anxious to see him when he’s getting a lot more snaps and working with the 1s.”
In that case, Stidham will have an advantage over Ben DiNucci for the starting position. However, it does not preclude the prospect of picking a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. ESPN’s Matt Miller even suggests that they trade up with the Arizona Cardinals for the fourth pick in his March 27 mock draft.
The Broncos will investigate wildcard options, according to Denver Sports’ Zac Stevens, who tweeted on March 30. Payton has been cited as saying, “There are still a few possibilities relative to guys who are currently in this league or have played in this league.”
Have you played in the league?
That line raises questions about what the Broncos might do at quarterback.
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