So, yeah, this situation really is turning out to be a total disaster. There has been nuclear fallout from the Broncos decision to bench Russell Wilson for the final two games of the year, and I agree…and also disagree with most of the outcry.
This is really shaping up to be a divisive situation.
In the last few hours since the Denver Broncos made the huge news that they were benching Russell Wilson for the remainder of the season despite his status as the franchise QB, there has been massive media, fan, player, etc. outcry against the team for their reasons in benching Wilson. And, to be honest, I really do believe that benching Wilson was the best choice for the franchise…but not for the reasons the Broncos gave.
So, for those who don’t know this mysterious reason for the Broncos decision to bench Wilson or perhaps you missed the benching news altogether, the Denver Broncos decided to give up on the rest of the season, despite being 7-8 with a VERY SLIM (but still open) chance at making the playoffs, by officially benching franchise quarterback Russell Wilson for the remainder of the season.
Now, Wilson has had a decent year with 3,070 passing yards, 28 TDs, and just 8 picks for a pretty good 98 QBR over the 15 games he’s played this season, yet Wilson has thrown for over 200 yards in just three of the Broncos 7 wins and has had really poor performances in “must-win” games.
So, it’s a far more nuanced decision to bench Wilson other than just saying “he has similar stats to Patrick Mahomes” as many online and on TV have point out (which is false as Mahomes has nearly 1,000 more passing yards and the same number of touchdowns with a far worse offensive line and receiving core). But what isn’t a nuanced discussion is the REAL reason why the Broncos have benched Wilson: for his contract.
As Wilson himself and many people involved around the franchise have said, the Broncos have benched Russell Wilson not because he hasn’t lived up to his 5-year, $242M contract extension (which is kicking in next season…if Wilson somehow is still a Bronco by then) or the heavy trade price the Broncos sent to Seattle for his services, but rather they wish to avoid having to pay him $37M in guaranteed money if he picks up an injury in the final two games of the year.
Pretty pathetic, right?
I’m all for benching a guy regardless of star power, contract value, or trade price if he’s not living up to expectations, but to bench him in hopes to avoid having to pay him money YOU AGREED TO PAYING is pretty despicable. I mean, it’s not like the Broncos and the dumbass Walton-Penner ownership group were held hostage by Wilson and forced to give him a 5-year, near full-guaranteed $242M contract extension ON TOP of his expiring Seattle deal.
This move has clearly backfired in nuclear proportion on both parties as Russell Wilson has pretty much destroyed any chance of a Hall of Fame nod he may have had with his time in Denver, while the Broncos are now going to have an NFL-record $85M dead cap hit if (but really when) they cut Wilson.
Yet, why be so petty that you won’t give your Super Bowl champion, 2X All-Pro, and Super Bowl MVP QB (with another franchise, but still) the final two games of the season to hopefully compete and win a few more games to cap off a disappointing but still bounce-back year? Just for $37M in guaranteed money that YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO PAY if Wilson doesn’t get hurt?
Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but I believe the Walton family is personally worth $242B and are easily the richest family in the United States. They really couldn’t pay Russell Wilson $37M IF he got hurt PLAYING FOR THEIR TEAM!!!!!
So, to wrap things up, I agree with benching Wilson as I think the Broncos can find a better and more fitting QB in the draft or upcoming free agencies, while I FULLY DISAGREE with them benching Wilson over being penny-pinching Scrooges with his injury-guarantee money.
Images Source: Featured Image:
