Teammates support Stidham and Wilson
On a seismic day for the Broncos, the Centura Health Training Center locker room emptied out quickly.
As news rattled around the NFL that Denver coach Sean Payton had benched Russell Wilson for backup Jarrett Stidham heading into the final two weeks of the season, many players avoided the media scrum.
Those who did speak complimented the work Stidham’s done and also expressed support for Wilson, a team captain and the face of the franchise since he was acquired for a haul of picks and players in March 2022.
“Russ is a very mentally strong guy,” wide receiver Jerry Jeudy told The Denver Post. “I know that as a competitor, of course it’s going to affect you losing your job. But knowing Russ, he’s going to keep doing his thing. Keep practicing the way he’s practicing, keep his routine going. That’s just the type of guy he is.”
Jeudy has a locker situated directly across from Stidham and said they have a strong relationship.
“Jarrett’s my dog, man,” he said. “He’s a great quarterback, great competitor and a very smart dude. I’m very excited to see what he does this weekend.”
Even still, benching Wilson, the 12th-year quarterback who has thrown 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions this year and made nine Pro Bowls in 10 years in Seattle, came as a shock when Payton informed the team in a meeting Wednesday morning.
“It sucks. It’s a weird day and it’s obviously something that we weren’t necessarily expecting,” said right tackle Mike Mcglinchey, who has spoken highly of Wilson since signing as a free agent this spring. “But you’ve got to believe in what the coaching staff believes in and what Sean is doing and we’ve got to move forward.”
SIMMONS TALKS JACKSON’S “BITTERSWEET” EXIT>>
Justin Simmons arrived to work for the first time in a long time without Kareem Jackson as a teammate.
Jackson was waived by the Broncos on Monday and the next day found out he had been claimed by Houston. By Wednesday, Jackson was practicing with the Texans and Simmons adjusting to the reality of playing without one of his closest friends.
“That one’s bittersweet for me,” Simmons told reporters. “Selfishly I want him here and I think he helps our team in so many ways, but self lessly I’m happy for him because he gets to go back to the team that drafted him. That’s where his home is and he’s going to go in and play. Obviously the Texans are a little bit ahead of us in terms of the playoff picture, so he’s going to be playing some big-time ball for them.”