Earlier this week, the Denver Broncos shockingly announced their plans to bench Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham for the final two games of the regular season.
After the benching, reports later emerged of the Broncos making the move not entirely based on performance but mostly due to the large financial commitment they previously made to the Super Bowl-winning QB.
But here’s the thing: Wilson’s five-year, $242.5 million extension doesn’t even kick in until next season. Yet, now the Broncos are looking to avoid paying a $37 million injury guarantee set to kick in on the fifth day of the new league year, beginning in March. It’s a big deal because if Wilson were to get seriously hurt, where he wouldn’t be able to pass a physical, the full guarantee amount would be paid.
Once Wilson was benched, the Broncos’ motivation became obvious. But now, Wilson has confirmed a previous rumor about how he was threatened to modify his contract in order to avoid being benched.
“They came up to me during the bye week and beginning of the bye week, Monday or Tuesday, they told me if I didn’t change my contract, my injury guarantee, that I’d be benched the rest of the year. I was definitely disappointed about it. It was a process for the whole bye week. We had just come off beating the Chiefs, I was excited for us fighting for the playoffs and getting on a hot streak. The NFLPA and NFL got involved or whatever at some point.”
Russell Wilson on his conversations with Denver Broncos
Rarely do we hear a player be so honest about their contract to the media, yet clearly, Wilson feels “disappointed” about Denver’s new direction.
After this alleged conversation took place, the Broncos then rattled off three more wins in a row, capping a five-game win streak. They have since lost three of the past four games to put Denver at 7-8, on the outskirts of the AFC playoff picture.
There’s no telling where Wilson ends up next. But it’s not like he’s had a horrible season, or anything close. Several teams will have interest in the nine-time Pro Bowl QB, who may or may not be on track for a Hall of Fame career.
Related: See where Russell Wilson lands in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB Rankings