Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson stated he was “disillusioned” and “stunned” when coach Sean Payton informed him this week he can be benched for the season’s last two video games.
Wilson, talking Friday for the primary time since Payton introduced Jarrett Stidham can be the group’s beginning quarterback for the remainder of the season, stated the information took him aback largely as a result of the Broncos (7-8) stay within the playoff hunt coming into Week 17’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, a recreation wherein Wilson would be the No. 2 quarterback.
“I felt like we had been doing one thing particular and rolling,” Wilson stated. “Clearly, we’ve had some powerful video games, some powerful shut ones, however we’ve nonetheless acquired an opportunity. On the finish of the day, what God’s acquired for me, I’m going to maintain trusting in him. I’m going to maintain placing my greatest foot ahead day-after-day and be as skilled as I could be, it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are. I realized that a very long time in the past.”
Wilson stated he was approached by Denver after its Week 8 victory in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and informed if he didn’t transfer again an harm assure in his contract, he’d be benched.
“We beat the Chiefs. They got here as much as me in the beginning of the bye week — Monday or Tuesday — and informed me that if I didn’t change my contract, my harm assure, that I’d be benched for the remainder of the yr. … I used to be positively disillusioned about it.”
Wilson confirmed reviews that the NFLPA was notified in regards to the Broncos’ request.
“I wasn’t going to remove harm ensures,” he stated. “This recreation is such a bodily recreation. I’ve performed for 12 years and that issues to me.”
The Broncos in the end didn’t bench Wilson after the bye week. He began the following seven video games, the final of which was Sunday’s 26-23 loss to the New England Patriots. That he’s being benched now, Payton has stated, is strictly a performance-based resolution. Wilson has turned the ball over 5 occasions because the Broncos have gone 1-3 of their final 4 video games.
Payton, who spoke earlier Friday, stated he was “not privy” to any discussions the group had with Wilson when the veteran quarterback was approached about adjusting his contract.
“I’m dealing with soccer,” Payton stated. “… That’s one thing (common supervisor) George (Paton) and the entrance workplace (deal with). I’m not concerned in any of that. Actually, I’m concerned in rather a lot, however … There will likely be a time and place on the finish of the season the place a number of the questions you may need, another person will be capable to reply. My focus has been on successful.”
Payton reiterated his stance from earlier within the week that benching Wilson is a singularly football-based resolution.
“I understand how a few of this has been written, however this resolution is strictly what I consider offers us an opportunity for win No. 8. Now, it’s a tough resolution, however there’s no different — for me and the place I’m at in my profession, that’s all I’m inquisitive about is getting one other win. There can be no different causes. Russ has had an excellent week. He’s dealt with it effectively professionally.”
Wilson stated he nonetheless hopes to stay with Denver after this season, however he conceded his future could also be elsewhere.
“On the finish of the day, I like this recreation,” Wilson stated.
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(Picture: Andy Cross / MediaNews Group / The Denver Publish by way of Getty Photographs)