New details have emerged behind the Denver Broncos’ surprise decision to bench quarterback Russell Wilson for their final two games.
In a stunning move, the Broncos announced Wednesday that Wilson will be benched in favor of Jarrett Stidham. Wilson has enjoyed a nice bounce-back year under head coach Sean Payton, and the Broncos (7-8) entered Sunday mathematically alive in playoff contention.
Before Sunday’s games, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided more details on the controversy in the Mile High City.
Interestingly, Rapoport stated that the Broncos won’t pull the plug on Wilson unless they feel they have “a better option.” Payton said the team brass and coach Payton haven’t yet “ruled out a return.”
However, Rapoport provided some details that outline Payton’s frustrations with Wilson that led to the decision to start Stidham instead:
“Payton was wary of Wilson during his interview with the Broncos before they hired him last offseason, sources say. While he spoke in the interview of how to help turn him into a championship QB and how to fix him, he privately wasn’t as sure it could be done. By taking the job, he committed to trying. It has not worked.
When players watched film during the week of the past few games, they saw an endless string of open players that Wilson wasn’t finding in time. Sure, the big-time plays in the fourth quarter were there, but finding the open guy in rhythm was an issue. Players saw it, and privately discussed it among themselves, sources say. Some have wondered the last few weeks if Stidham, who Payton signed early in free agency, would be better.
Payton hasn’t been happy with how his offense has been running, sources say. He’s seen it at a high-level with Drew Brees, and this wasn’t it. They kept needing to simplify and pare it down, they struggled to get plays in and it rarely was run to the speed he wanted. Wilson made the plays off-schedule in the fourth quarter. But Payton fumed at the lack of efficiency on a regular basis. Over the past few weeks, he’s weighed a decision. This week, it seems Stidham has run the offense well in practice, with optimism rising.”
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And as Wilson confirmed to reporters earlier this week, his refusal to adjust the injury guarantees in his contract led to the Broncos benching him. The club had warned him during their Week 9 bye that he’d be benched if he didn’t make those adjustments.
The Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
