Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton made a major announcement on Wednesday that he’s benching starting quarterback Russell Wilson ahead of the team’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter wrote on X that Payton “met this morning with” Wilson to inform him and then told the team that Jarrett Stidham is the team’s starting QB.
“Change in Denver: Broncos’ HC Sean Payton has informed his team that Jarrett Stidham will start Sunday vs. the Chargers, with Russell Wilson as the backup, per sources,” Schefter’s post read.
Sean Payton met this morning with Russell Wilson to inform him of his decision, then told the team.
Jarrett Stidham is Denver’s new starting QB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2023
“With a 1-3 record in the last four games, Denver is looking to spark its offense and see what it has in Stidham,” his post added.
In a follow-up post, the NFL insider noted that the move will prevent millions of dollars from being guaranteed to Wilson if he gets hurt.
“Russell Wilson already has $39 million [fully] guaranteed for 2024, but he has an additional $37M [for 2025] that would become guaranteed if he can’t pass a physical by early March,” Schefter wrote.
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“Denver’s move to sit him assures that money won’t trigger,” he added. “And Denver does this at a time when Wilson is the NFL’s seventh-rated passer, with 26 touchdown passes and eight INTs.”
Denver could still get into the postseason as they currently sit on a 7-8 season, but it depends on other teams’ losses. The Broncos suffered a 26-23 to the struggling New England Patriots on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters after the loss, Wilson said, “I’m just worried about next week and playing great football. I came here to win and win a championship for us and find a way to do that. Obviously, I love being here with these guys, these teammates. I’m excited to keep playing ball and playing hard for us.”
The team has two more games left in the season, with Stidham starting against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos’ final game is against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The team acquired Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in March 2022.