The Denver Broncos are benching quarterback Russell Wilson and turning the offense over to Jarrett Stidham for the final two weeks of the 2023 season. Here’s a sampling of how Twitter/X reacted to that news on Wednesday.
If the Denver Broncos bench Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham, this is a clear indication that they will move on from Wilson after this season. If this happens, this will also tell you Bronco's ownership has full trust in Sean Payton.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) December 27, 2023
Source confirms Jarrett Stidham is replacing Russell Wilson as Broncos QB. As I've been told, this was more of a football decision – a spark to ineffective offense – with Russ' contract situation secondary.
Stidham was in this position last year with Raiders, replacing Carr.— 9NEWS Sports Denver (@9NEWSSports) December 27, 2023
Given the ineffective offense and injury guarantee, #Broncos are benching Russell Wilson, source confirms for Jarrett Stidham. This all but signals end of his time in Denver. Wilson does not deserve all blame for underperforming offense. There are a multitude of issues. But the…
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 27, 2023
Remember how quickly Sean Payton went out and signed Jarrett Stidham at the start of free agency. Payton signed Stidham to a 2 year deal with 10 million. That's not nothing. https://t.co/2gujYX5ogz
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 27, 2023
The Broncos went all in on Russell Wilson with trade and financial compensation.
Now it appears they're all out. And it will cost them.
If they cut him, they owe him $39M, which they can afford.
But would take an $85M Dead Cap hit, which no team can afford.
1/3 of the Cap.— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 27, 2023
The Ride may be over, but I'll never forget having unlimited car sickness. pic.twitter.com/3ovJYwlqPp
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 27, 2023
It's official. Wow. Shocking but at the same time, not surprising. It wasn't working, the fit wasn't right and now Sean Payton will be looking for a new QB this offseason https://t.co/H1HqD1pSTp
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 27, 2023
This, pretty clearly, is it for Russell Wilson in Denver. Broncos are on the hook for $39 million in guarantees in 2024. However, hanging on to him into 2024 would mean $37 million vesting for 2025.
So it's $39 million buyout this offseason or $37 million buyout next offseason. https://t.co/EL9DS4dj9t
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 27, 2023
Welp….. in Hindsight, we definitely lost that Trade 😬
— 🄱🄾🄶🄶🄸🄽🅂 (@Mr_Boggins) December 27, 2023
I discussed these scenarios with Wilson a few months ago. Actually surprised it took the #Broncos this long to consider moving him to the bench.
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) December 27, 2023
Jarrett Stidham will be the Broncos’ quarterback this week.
By keeping Russell Wilson healthy, Denver can release him this offseason without fear of $37 million in injury guarantees.
Stidham is under contract for next season. I’d imagine we’ll see him and a rookie in 2024. https://t.co/j4iJBqYf4m
— Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) December 27, 2023
Yeah the Russ era is over. https://t.co/EJ9MZcLBRq
— Robby (@Robby_NFL) December 27, 2023
The Russell Wilson era in Denver is over before his new contract even kicks in. Going to be interesting to see what happens next
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) December 27, 2023
If the Broncos cut Russell Wilson, where does he play in 2024?
Is he a clear cut starter? 🤔
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) December 27, 2023
This is not a drill. The Russ in Denver experience will ultimately go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history but even more so one of the worst sports contracts we’ve ever seen. Broncos Country should be bracing themselves for the largest dead cap hit in NFL history. https://t.co/eZlxCsdBd1
— Zach Bye (@byesline) December 27, 2023
Russell Wilson will count $35.4 million in dead cap money in 2024 and $49.6 million in 2025. It was unquestionably one of the worst trades (and extensions) in NFL history.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) December 27, 2023
Not a fan of this move.
Also not a fan of Broncos "sources" (i.e. Sean Payton) floating this out there before just doing it. https://t.co/u0sS1gxdQz
— Doctor of Words (& tights & over/under guesses) (@docllv) December 27, 2023
Really don’t know what to think regarding the Russ situation. The team seem way more together this season and they’ve won seven games. I understand the financial aspect — but what sign does that show to the team? Play to win the last two weeks. Just my two cents. #BroncosCountry
— Michael McQuaid (@Michael_NFL) December 27, 2023
No dancing on the grave for the Wilson fans or Denver/Russ now likely heading towards an inevitable divorce
It stinks it hasn’t worked out for everyone involved
Russ will get another shot somewhere but at this point he’s like viewed as a bridge QB as opposed to a franchise guy
— Nick Kendell 🏔 (@NickKendellMHH) December 27, 2023
The thing that surprises me about Russell Wilson is just how much schadenfreude everyone seems to be feeling about his struggles. Sure, he's a bit of a weirdo. He's also won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. He seems like a good person. Why delight in his fall?
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) December 27, 2023
I believe, when it comes to Russ, people can be a little “miss the forest for the trees”.
He makes some great plays. 3-4 per game? But overall he’s played poorly for long stretches of most games. Most of the season? Average??
The only thing that matters is what Sean thinks.…
— Mike Carmellini (@Mike_Carmellini) December 27, 2023
George Paton gave Russ a quarter of a billion dollar contract that hasn’t even kicked in yet.
Hard to imagine he doesn’t go down with Russ.
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) December 27, 2023
I would highly caution against jumping to any conclusions about Russell Wilson's future in Denver.
There's several different paths it could take, w/much dependent on what he and the Broncos want that's unclear to the outside at this point.
Denver could also do far worse at QB.
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) December 27, 2023
Broncos Country, let's goodbye.
— RG 📷 (@RyanGreeneDNVR) December 27, 2023
I do think this is about the flexibility in the offseason and not risking Russ getting hurt in a way that would limit their options. But I also think this is about Sean Payton wanting to try out something different with the offense for 2 weeks. https://t.co/HVedboiuzc
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) December 27, 2023
While there is, of course, the financial component, this is different from Derek Carr last year. Russell Wilson will be the backup. But Jarrett Stidham starts.
This was a football decision. https://t.co/Uqk8qsH46u
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
Jacoby Brissett/Jameis Winston + Jayden Daniels QB Room next year pic.twitter.com/PnkrUVsb5s
— Patrick Chiotti (@PatrickChiotti) December 27, 2023
If this offseason the #Broncos part ways with Russell Wilson a post June 1 release would divide the $85 million in dead money over two seasons:
– $35.4 million in 2024
– $49.6 million in 2025— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 27, 2023
Amazing how quickly this Russell Wilson thing has escalated.
True intentions revealed in a span of two days.
Russ’s run in Denver is over.
He will be waived.
The @broncos will eat a ton of money.
It will go down as the worst trade in franchise history.Unfortunate.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 27, 2023
Stidham, 27, will now get a chance to audition for the 2024 starting job over the next two weeks. His current will expire after next season.
