There’s a lot to talk about in Broncos Country this week, with the biggest storyline being the benching of quarterback Russell Wilson.
On the latest Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss the Wilson news, George Paton’s future with the team, Kareem Jackson getting cut, Denver’s (slim) playoff chances and Sunday’s game against the Chargers.
You can listen to episode No. 101 below:
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Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.
Broncos bench QB Russell Wilson
- Logically, money has to at least be part of the equation. If Russell Wilson gets hurt and can’t pass a physical on March 17, he will have $37 million guaranteed in 2025. By benching him, Broncos rule out risk of Wilson being injured as a starter and locking in $37 million two years from now.
- But it’s more than just the money. Sean Payton has been dropping hints for weeks that he’s not satisfied with Wilson’s performance, and he might genuinely believe Jarrett Stidham gives them a better chance to win the last two games of the season. Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract this offseason, not a small number for a backup.
- The Broncos seem likely to move on from Wilson during the offseason. If Stidham plays well over the next two weeks, Denver could perhaps plan to go into next season with Stidham and a rookie quarterback.
Is George Paton next?
- Paton traded three players, 1st-, 2nd- and 5th-round picks in 2022 plus 1st- and 2nd-round picks in 2023 in exchange for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick. In addition to those picks in players, Paton immediately gave Wilson a five-year, $245 million contract.
- This will likely go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history and Paton orchestrated it. After benching Wilson in 2023, will the Broncos fire Paton in 2024?
Kareem Jackson cut
- When Jackson returned from his initial 2-game suspension, Payton told him the Broncos had a good thing going and to not [mess] it up. Jackson them promptly launched himself headfirst into Josh Dobbs in his first game back and received another 4-game suspension.
- When Jackson returned from the second suspension, Denver had to cut somebody to make room for him on the roster or simply cut Jackson. The Broncos chose to cut Jackson, hoping to re-sign him to the practice squad for depth (he doesn’t play special teams and wasn’t going to start over P.J. Locke on defense).
- The Texans then claimed Jackson off waivers, ending his time with the Broncos. Jackson will become a free agent in 2024 and will turn 36. He had a good career, but after multiple fines, ejections and suspensions, Jackson seems likely to retire after the 2023 season.
NFL playoffs: Week 17 rooting guide
- Yes, I know it’s extremely unlikely, but the Broncos can technically still make the NFL playoffs via two possible routes.
- One way would be for the Chiefs to lose out (Bengals, Chargers) and the Broncos to win out (Chargers, Raiders). In that scenario, Denver would win the AFC West with a 9-8 record.
- The other way would be for the Broncos to make it as a Wild Card team, which would require multiple teams losing out.
- Wild Card scenario rooting guide: Patriots beat Bill. Seahawks beat Steelers, Chiefs beat Bengals, Titans beat Texans, Panthers beat Jaguars, Raiders beat Colts.
Broncos-Chargers preview
- Denver is a 3-point favorite. Over/under is 37.5
- Broncos beat Chargers 24-7 last time. Denver now has Stidham at QB and Los Angeles now has Easton Stick at QB.
- If the Broncos lose, they are eliminated from playoff contention no matter what happens in the other games.
Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.
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