Hold on, there’s a twist.
The Russell Wilson chapter in Denver is not yet concluded.
Despite Sean Payton benching Wilson in the final two weeks of the season, both Payton and George Paton were firm during the end-of-season press conference that the possibility of Wilson’s return remains open.
Paton emphasized, “The door remains open with ‘Russ.'” He shared that he had positive discussions with Wilson, and Payton echoed similar sentiments. Wilson himself has conveyed to Paton that he is open to the idea of returning.
So, what scenarios would need to unfold for No. 3 to once again don the Orange & Blue next season?
The DNVR Broncos Crew provides an analysis.
What needs to occur for Russell Wilson to make a comeback to the Broncos?
Zac suggests that for Wilson’s return, he would have to agree to a substantial pay cut, clarifying that this is not a mere restructuring but an actual reduction in salary. This scenario could pave the way for his return as the team’s starting quarterback in 2024. However, the Broncos face challenges, as there is no perfect scenario concerning Wilson. If they opt to cut him, the resulting dead end from Wilson’s deal would be record-setting and severely impactful. Nevertheless, keeping him, whether on his existing deal or with a pay cut, means working with a quarterback whom Sean Payton, the head coach, believes cannot effectively run his offense. Despite the challenges, Wilson accepting a significant pay cut might be the most favorable option, although the considerable guaranteed money owed to him provides little incentive for such a move. Despite its unlikelihood, it remains within the realm of possibility.
In contrast, Henry suggests that Wilson’s departure from the Broncos is the more likely outcome. The team owes Wilson $39 million in 2024, regardless of whether he remains on the team or not. Henry contends that Wilson has no reason to take less money and stay in Denver, especially considering the team’s recent struggles, the coach benching him, and requests from the front office to modify his contract. He proposes that a fresh start with a new team could be a preferable option for Wilson.
RK takes a definitive stance, asserting that nothing can happen for Wilson’s return. He dismisses the ongoing media narrative and emphasizes the evident issues between Wilson and the team. RK suggests that the Russell Wilson era is over, attributing the breakdown to Nathaniel Hackett’s ineffective offense and the irreparable damage to Wilson’s reputation in Denver.
As for the playoff picks, the analysts differ on their predictions:
– Texans @ Ravens (-9.5): All three analysts pick the Texans.
– Packers @ 49ers (-10): Zac and Hank pick the Packers, while RK chooses the Niners.
– Buccaneers @ Lions (-6): Zac picks the Buccaneers, Hank chooses the Lions, and RK opts for the Buccaneers.
– Chiefs @ Bills (-2.5): Zac picks the Chiefs, Hank selects the Bills, and RK goes with the Chiefs.
In the leaderboard, RK led with a 5-1 record last week, while Zac went 3-3, and Hank had a challenging week, going 0-6. The overall standings have Hank at 114-98-5, Zac at 113-99-5, and RK at 104-108-5.
