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Featured Columnist IVJanuary 1, 2024
Justin Edmonds/Getty Photos
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed Jarrett Stidham will stay the beginning quarterback for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Payton told reporters that Russell Wilson would be the second straight week.
Stidham began Denver’s 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and went 20-of-32 for 224 yards and a landing.
The choice to bench Wilson has turn out to be some extent of rivalry between the nine-time Professional Bowler and the staff.
This was all the time a risk after Wilson’s disastrous 2022 season, one which raised main questions on his long-term future in Denver regardless of signing an extension with the staff by way of 2028.
Wilson’s efficiency has improved, although. By means of 15 video games, he had thrown for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His completion proportion (66.4) and QBR (50.7) have been each up noticeably. The Broncos, in the meantime, have been 7-8 with him on the helm.
Possibly the ship had sailed on the 35-year-old taking Denver to a Tremendous Bowl, however he was no less than a succesful starter.
That is why it got here as a shock when Payton turned to Stidham.
The coach said the Broncos “want a spark” in explaining the transfer, however funds relatively than soccer causes look like driving the pondering. Demoting him for the ultimate three video games would imply lowering the chances of a $37 vesting choice that is assured for harm getting triggered. That makes it simpler for Denver to chop or commerce him this coming offseason.
Albert Breer @AlbertBreer
This, fairly clearly, is it for Russell Wilson in Denver. Broncos are on the hook for $39 million in ensures in 2024. Nonetheless, hanging on to him into 2024 would imply $37 million vesting for 2025.
So it is $39 million buyout this offseason or $37 million buyout subsequent offseason. https://t.co/EL9DS4dj9t
Wilson informed reporters staff officers approached him throughout a Week 9 bye and mentioned he would get benched if he did not amend his contract to take away the harm assure:
Zac Stevens @ZacStevensDNVR
Russell Wilson talked for the primary time since being benched.
He mentioned he was requested to waive his harm ensures after the Chiefs win. pic.twitter.com/EvrFXAsxel
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe and Nick Kosmider reported Sunday the NFL Gamers Affiliation wrote a letter to the Broncos in November to say such a risk can be in violation of the collective bargaining settlement.
Troy Renck of Denver7 famous the NFLPA did not file a proper grievance on behalf of Wilson, and NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport spoke to a supply who mentioned the dialog between Wilson and Denver about his contract is “commonplace.”
No matter whether or not this turns into a much bigger difficulty, Stidham beginning once more means Wilson could have already performed his final recreation in a Broncos uniform.
