Russell Wilson told he could be dropped quickly by Sean Payton in 'cooked' claim
Sean Payton and Russell Wilson will lead the Denver Broncos in 2023, but the quarterback has been warned that his position is not guaranteed.
After former head coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired last season, the Broncos acquired Payton from the New Orleans Saints while he was still serving a season-long suspension. The Broncos agreed to trade a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick in exchange for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick from the Saints.
The Broncos slumped to a 5-12 finish last season, in what was Wilson's worst performance yet. Payton was quick to defend Wilson this offseason, pointing the blame at his former coaches rather than allowing the quarterback to take responsibility.
Despite Payton's backing and assurances that Wilson 'still got gas in the tank' there are no guarantees that the head coach won't pull the quarterback from the starting line-up if performances slip. At least that's according to NFL analyst Louis Riddick.
Wilson is entering his 12th NFL season, and his second with the Broncos after trading from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. It was a bad year for Wilson and one to forget for the franchise, but Payton is confident that playoffs should be their goal for the upcoming season.
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"We’re going to learn how rewarding it is to play for each other, compete for each other, rather than for ourselves," Payton said on USA Today. "And I expect us to think playoffs."
Payton is expected to get the old Wilson back, and the quarterback has recovered from surgery that took place at the end of last season and looks to be back to full fitness. But that doesn't mean there isn't competition for places.
Jarrett Stidham signed a two-year contract in March (Copyright - 2023 The Denver Post, MediaNews Group.)"I think you have to apply context here, I think Sean will pull the best out of him," Riddick said on ESPN's Get Up. "I don't think Russell Wilson is cooked, I don't think he's done.
"But I'll say this, Jarrett Stidham is a very capable backup, and it does bear watching that if for some reason it doesn't work out, and Sean thinks Russell isn't carrying his weight and his vision, Stidham will be in there." Stidham has featured in both of the Broncos' pre-season games so far, with the team losing by a singular point to both the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 19: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass during the first half of a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images) (2023 Getty Images)Stidham signed a two-year, £7.85million ($10m) with the Broncos in March, and after a poor pre-season debut for the team he proved himself against the 49ers. Stidham went five for 15 against the Cardinals and threw one interception, but bounced back with 130 yards against the 49ers.
The 27-year-old has only ever played 13 games since being drafted in the fourth round by the New England Patriots in 2019, starting two. It's unlikely he will replace Wilson, unless something goes horribly wrong for the former Super Bowl champion.
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