Why Russell Wilson’s time with Broncos likely is finished
As takes over for the benched Russell Wilson as the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, there is considerable doubt that Wilson and the Broncos will repair their relationship.
Coach Sean Payton made the switch Wednesday from Wilson, the nine-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl winner for the Seattle Seahawks, to Stidham, a fifth-year pro who is on his third NFL team.
Wilson confirmed to reporters Friday that the Broncos threatened in late October — during the team’s bye week and just after a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs — to bench him for the rest of the season if he did not agree to adjust his contract and address an injury guarantee tied to a $37 million offseason payment.
The contentiousness leaves other NFL teams believing that Wilson, 35, probably will be available in the offseason, with the Broncos poised to release Wilson if they’re unable to trade him.
“I don’t see how that situation gets fixed,” said a high-ranking official with an NFL franchise. “I would think in your planning you would have to say that he will be on the market.”
The $37 million payment due to Wilson under his contract currently is guaranteed against injury, and it becomes fully guaranteed in March. Wilson also confirmed that the league and the NFL Players Association became involved in the matter during the exchange that began in late October.
Wilson is the NFL’s seventh-rated passer as he heads to the bench.
“I came here to play here, to win,” Wilson said. “I knew it was going to be a process. I signed a seven-year deal for us to go and play hard.”
Payton maintained Friday that the quarterback switch was made for football reasons and that he was not involved in any contract issues, calling that the responsibility of general manager George Paton.
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Chiefs: Running back
A
Isiah Pacheco cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will play Sunday against Cincinnati, ESPN reported. Also, Kansas City activated wide receiver Mecole Hardman from injured reserve. Hardman has been out since Week 11 with a sprained thumb. He began his career with Kansas City but signed with the New York Jets before the start of this season. He was traded back to the Chiefs on Oct. 18. He has little production this season but was a Pro Bowl selection for the Chiefs in 2019.
Colts: Tight end
A
Drew Ogletree, who was arrested on felony charges of domestic violence Friday in Hendricks County, Ind., was placed
on the exempt list by the league. Players on the exempt list can’t play or practice with the team. ESPN reported that a probable cause affidavit said the victim was discovered in a bedroom in pain. She police that the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Ogletree “body slammed” her during an argument. Ogletree, 25, spent his entire rookie season in 2022 on injured reserve with a torn ACL. He has nine catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games this season.
Commanders: Quarterback A Jacoby Brissett, who was named the starter this week after performing well in relief of
Sam Howell the previous two games, is now questionable to play Sunday against San Francisco because of a hamstring injury. Coach Ron Rivera said Howell will play if
Brissett isn’t ready.
Jaguars: Jacksonville A activated left tackle Cam Robinson from injured reserve. The seventh-year veteran has been sidelined by a knee injury since Week 12. He returns in time to protect quarterback C.J. Beathard on Sunday against Carolina. Beathard is making his first start since 2020 with
Trevor Lawrence (shoulder injury) out.
Packers: Green Bay
A put cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) on injured reserve. In addition to Stokes, the Packers will be without cornerback Jaire Alexander for Sunday night’s game at Minnesota. Alexander was suspended a game by the team because of his coin-toss blunder last week that nearly cost Green Bay a possession. Coaches had not asked him to join the coin toss.