The Denver Broncos benched quarterback Russell Wilson on Wednesday, a move that will protect the team from having to pay the quarterback future salary that’s guaranteed for injury.
Had Wilson suffered a serious injury in one of the team’s final two games of the 2023 season, $37 million of his 2025 salary would become locked in. Broncos coach Sean Payton insisted Wednesday that he made the decision in an effort to win, but multiple outlets have reported that the benching was financially motivated.
Wilson has not publicly spoken to the media since his benching, but he “liked” a series of tweets on Twitter/X that suggest Denver benched him for financial reasons, not his performance.
In today’s age of social media, “liking” the tweets is just as revealing of a statement as a literal statement from the quarterback. Wilson clearly seems to be endorsing/confirming the story that the Broncos threatened to bench him if he did not adjust his contract.
Wilson “liked” the following tweets on Wednesday:
Russell wilson has the seven ties passer rating in the nfl, 26 passing TDs which ties him with Tua and Mahomes (with fewer INTS than either), and leads the NFL in 4th quarter comebacks and game winning drives.
There's no marrative from me bud. Just facts. https://t.co/eFQJXOuKx6
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) December 27, 2023
𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: The #Broncos threatened to bench Russell Wilson weeks ago if he didn’t remove his injury guarantees, per @Schultz_Report
Russell Wilson’s benching by the Broncos today is solely financially related and has been in the works for weeks.
The Broncos approached… https://t.co/ez4iBwOiZY pic.twitter.com/WkM6hILc04
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 27, 2023
Russell Wilson is now getting BENCHED despite outplaying some of the leagues biggest “stars”
Wilson 2023:
Passing TDs: 26
INTs: 8
Yards/Attempt: 6.9
Rushing TDs: 3Mahomes 2023:
Passing TDs: 26
INTs: 14
Yards/Attempt: 6.9
Rushing TDs: 0Make it make sense… pic.twitter.com/UPxfJEjK4G
— Fantasy Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) December 27, 2023
.@Schultz_Report joins us to give us exclusive insight on what led to the benching of Russell Wilson. pic.twitter.com/6tIN46z7Bv
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) December 27, 2023
If the Broncos would've beat the Patriots last week, would Russ still be benched today? 👀@Schultz_Report weighs in pic.twitter.com/FByoY9f8e1
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) December 27, 2023
Russell Wilson might be getting cut this offseason but this was still one of the best throws of the season
pic.twitter.com/9QPngJWLVK— Kevin (@Daboys_22) December 28, 2023
Wilson also wrote a message on his Twitter/X page: “God’s got me. Looking forward to what’s next.”
God’s got me.
Looking forward to what’s next.— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) December 28, 2023
Wilson then ‘liked’ Robert Griffin III’s response to the QB’s tweet.
Mad respect for how you have handled this entire situation @DangeRussWilson
When you were disrespected, you still showed respect. When you were threatened, you led your team to wins. When you were torn down, you kept building up your guys and never wavered. God’s got your back. https://t.co/XnpDd00MvG pic.twitter.com/lnl3ooTiWi— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 28, 2023
Former teammate Geno Smith, who ended up replacing Wilson in Seattle, also tweeted a message of support for the quarterback:
FREE 3
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) December 27, 2023
Wilson, 35, seems unlikely to play again for the Broncos after being benched this week. Denver will have until March 17 to make a decision — after that deadline, Wilson will have $37 million become guaranteed for the 2025 season.
