The saga of Russell Wilson in Denver is perhaps the greatest example of “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it” in sports. Wilson wanted to go to a team where he could be in charge of the offense, have the final say with a coach, and be in a position to win MVP votes. He even apparently wanted Seattle management to pursue Sean Payton as head coach, if reports are to be believed.
Now Russell Wilson has been benched and his time in Denver appears to be over, as the Broncos are expected to cut him this offseason.
A lot of this is a bed of Wilson’s own making. He wanted Denver, he wanted out from Seattle and Pete Carroll, he wanted Drew Brees’ coach. Much of this was ego driven by a desire to win MVP’s. And yet, one cannot help but feel a little sorry for him in this case.
According to Wilson’s own words, Broncos brass approached him in October about restructuring his contract – that they offered and agreed to with him – or they would bench him. The kicker? This was after Denver defeated the Chiefs, snapping a 16-game losing streak to Kansas City. Before Wilson threw three touchdowns in the 24-9 win, the Broncos hadn’t beaten the Chiefs since Barack Obama was president.
Wilson spoke to Denver media about the situation, and it can be seen below:
Russell Wilson details that the Broncos asked him during the bye week to remove the injury guarantee from his contract, and that if he didn’t, “I’d be benched for the rest of the year.” pic.twitter.com/JTXJOtYQXW
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 29, 2023
It is more than fair to say Russell Wilson hasn’t exactly lived up to his end of the bargain in the Mile High City. The Broncos thought they were getting the quarterback we saw at his prime in Seattle, which has not been the case. In two years, Denver has won only 11 games with Wilson under center. Statistically, he has been fine this year, but when watching the games it is obvious he is not he difference maker he once was.
Still, how head coach Sean Payton and the Broncos are handling this situation shouldn’t sit right with anyone. Yes, football is a cutthroat business and the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately?” league. But this feels a little slimier than usual.
No, Wilson is not a schoolteacher or mill worker fighting for a better wage. Financially, he and his family are set for life. But the core principle is an employer with far greater power going back on a deal they agreed to with an employee. This is yet another example of why fans should back players who hold out for a new contract or try to exercise whatever leverage they can.
In the end, no team will ever love you the way the team who drafts you will. Had Wilson stayed a lifelong Seahawk, he would have gone down as one of – if not arguably the most – beloved Seattle sports icon of all time. There is no doubt in my mind the 12th Man would have been supportive through any kind of decline, which may not have been as precipitous under the protection of Pete Carroll’s system.
Instead, he chose a team and city that had no loyalty to him beyond what they perceived he could bring. Namely, Super Bowl contention. With that no longer a possibility, Wilson will now be searching for his third NFL home in as many years.
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