NFL

Broncos fighting for playoffs, with Russell Wilson being benched

Published

4m ago

Dec 29, 2023 / 7435 Views

The Denver Broncos, the NFL’s Colorado franchise, are currently fighting for a playoff spot in December. Even though their quarterback, Russell Wilson, has been performing well under the coaching of Sean Payton, many were surprised by the news that he would be benched for the next two Games.

The Broncos are currently 7-8 with two games left to play in the regular season and are in contention for a playoff spot. Thus, it is surprising that Payton would choose to have his starting quarterback on the bench at this crucial season stage.

Dec 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY SportsIsaiah J. DowningUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

However, the reason for this unusual move is financial. According to reports, the Broncos are taking precautions to protect themselves from the eventual cost of $37 million for the 2025 season if Wilson were injured on the field before March. This is a significant sum of money, and it makes sense for the Broncos to take steps to avoid this potential financial burden.

Sources to @BleacherReport: The #Broncos threatened to bench Russell Wilson weeks ago if he didn’t remove his injury guarantees.

Russell Wilson’s benching by the Broncos today is solely financially related and has been in the works for weeks, per multiple sources with direct… pic.twitter.com/pmq172Cm1H
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 27, 2023

In addition, this move can also be interpreted as a sign that the Broncos may be looking to part ways with Wilson. Wilson joined the team last summer and has $39 million guaranteed for the 2024 season. Given the Broncos’ recent financial moves, they may be looking to restructure their roster and free up some cap space for the future.

Overall, this is an important development for the Broncos and their fans. As they continue to fight for a playoff spot, they will rely on their backup quarterback to step up and lead the team to victory. Only time will tell if this was the right decision for the Broncos, but for now, they hope this move will pay off and help them secure a spot in the playoffs.