INCREDIBLE: Denver broncos QB request for termination of contract as he explained….
Russell Wilson says Broncos threatened to bench him if he did not alter contract
Wilson demoted to backup with Broncos still in playoff hunt
Quarterback says he was asked to change contract mid-season
Associated Press
As quarterback Russell Wilson explains it, his job was in jeopardy nearly two months ago and after the Denver Broncos’ biggest win.
It was then, during the bye week following a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on 29 October, Wilson said he was facing an ultimatum from the team: Adjust his contract or risk being benched.
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He didn’t budge. Weeks later, Wilson is now finishing out the season on the sideline. It may just be the end of his time in Denver, too.
A disappointed Wilson spoke to the media Friday after practice for the first time since being demoted earlier in the week by coach Sean Payton. Wilson will be relegated to the role of backup to Jarrett Stidham on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-10).
Wilson was perplexed by the timing of his benching since the Broncos (7-8) still have a chance of making the playoffs, even if slim.
But the warning signs were there. Soon after helping Denver end a 16-game skid against the defending Super Bowl-champion Chiefs, he said he was approached about the structure of his deal. Wilson signed a five-year, $245m contract extension last year that kicks in next season. He has a clause where there’s a roster guarantee for $37m if he doesn’t pass a physical on the fifth day of the 2024 league year in March.
“It definitely hurt. It was a low blow for a bit,” Wilson said of the discussions that came in the middle of Denver’s five-game winning streak. “I came here for a reason, and that’s to win more championships. That’s still my focus to this day. I’m under contract. I want to do whatever it takes. And that’s why I’m going to practice the right way and do everything the right way.”
“It’s a hard decision,” said Payton, who turned 60 on Friday. “For me, where I’m at in my career, that’s all I’m interested in, is getting another win. There would be no other reasons. Russ has had a great week. He’s handled it well professionally.”
As for Wilson’s future, Payton said he plans to evaluate the entire operation after the season before making any decisions.
“We go through every player, starting with the trainers, the strength (coaches), the position coaches, the coordinators, pro personnel, general manager, and head coach,” Payton said. “We’ll do that, but we haven’t begun at all to decide. Not just Russ, but any other player.”
For now, Wilson’s focus is on helping Stidham get up to speed by answering questions, going over game film or anything else required. He’s not fretting over what may be ahead.
“Every day you wake up, you realize it’s a gift to play this game,” Wilson said. “I’m grateful for that. I hope that it’s here. And I hope that it’s here for a long time. … If it’s not here, then I’ll be prepared to do that somewhere else. But I hope that it’s here.”
