The Broncos are shelling out a hefty sum to Russell Wilson, opting not to utilize him as their quarterback in Denver. Following two disappointing seasons in Denver, Wilson is now bound for Pittsburgh, aiming to alter his narrative.
Although many see Wilson as a low-risk, high-reward addition for the Steelers, Sean Payton appears entirely unapologetic about how things unfolded.
Initially, the Broncos acquired “Mr. Unlimited” from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade, with hopes of bolstering their quarterback position and instantly becoming playoff contenders.
However, this transformation failed to materialize, marking the Russell Wilson era as largely unsuccessful.
During his tenure, the team managed only an 11-19 record across two seasons, and tensions escalated after Sean Payton assumed the head coaching role in 2023.
Payton sidelined Wilson before the end of the last season, and their strained relationship culminated in Wilson’s release during the offseason.
Wilson has since joined the Steelers, signing for the league minimum while obliging Denver to cover nearly $40 million of his 2024 salary.
For Payton, the financial burden Denver bears for Wilson’s departure is of no concern; he simply wanted him off the team.
This sentiment was reiterated bluntly this week, with Payton responding “No” when asked if releasing Wilson while incurring an $85 million salary cap hit was challenging.
Sometimes, brevity speaks volumes!
With Wilson out of the picture, Denver is set to proceed with Jarrett Stidham unless they secure another option before the season kicks off. Additionally, there’s the prospect of drafting a quarterback from the highly touted class this April.
Meanwhile, Wilson has swiftly moved on to the next chapter, adopting a new motto with the Steelers while maintaining his divisive online presence.
At this point, it seems Wilson might be deliberately provoking reactions!
Interestingly, the Steelers are slated to face the Broncos in Denver next season, ensuring a matchup brimming with intensity!
