As the Broncos‘ season unravels, things have gone from bad to worse in Denver. Broncos head coach Sean Payton might be wishing he stayed retired, QB Russell Wilson continues to look like a shell of his former self, and the Denver offense is spiraling.
Payton entered the season criticizing former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett — and current New York Jets offensive coordinator — saying that it was “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL. Everything I heard about last season, we’re doing the opposite.”
The Broncos entered the 2023 season with renewed optimism, and analysts around the NFL predicated a revival for the Denver offense. Unfortunately for Broncos fans, this prediction could not have been further from the truth.
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What Will the Broncos Do With Russell Wilson?
The Broncos and Wilson can’t continue their relationship, can they? The trade from Seattle to Denver is one of the worst deals in NFL history. Wilson is not playing well, dragging the entire Broncos organization down with him. Hiring Payton as head coach was a last-ditch effort to fix Wilson and turn the offense around. It has failed.
That was evident in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, where Wilson finished 20/31 for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns but was also sacked four times and lost a fumble that, for all intents and purposes, ended the game for the Broncos.
“The biggest thing is they do a good job up front,” said Wilson, via Mike Klis of 9News. “We were definitely looking for our guys but a lot of times the stuff underneath to our backs and tight ends was there. We want those (receivers) to be involved more. We’re always looking for them.”
Russell Wilson, with an opportunity to march down the field and win it, instead coughs up the ball for 6 🤦🏻♂️
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) October 8, 2023
Unfortunately, for the Broncos, Wilson is not tradeable. What organization in their right mind would deal for Wilson, given how he is playing? Wilson isn’t playing poorly. It is beyond that. Wilson is actively costing his team football games.
Since the Broncos cannot trade Wilson, the next question is whether they can release Wilson outright or figure out a way to salvage what they can.
MORE: NFL Offense Rankings 2023
Following the game against the Jets, Payton talked about the offense and how he could have done a better job to put them in a position to succeed.
“The part that I’m frustrated with myself is that we became one-dimensional, and I know better,” Payton said, via Zac Stevens of DNVR Broncos. “I have to be more patient relative to how we run the ball, and it was that type of game.”
I was told by all the Russell Wilson truthers that the problem was Hackett and Sean Payton would make it all better. Week 5 and SP already done. 😂 #BroncosCountry #LetsRide pic.twitter.com/L1rWZSqVAJ
— Nico Tomacelli (@NicoTomacelli) October 9, 2023
Perhaps they can turn this offense around. But if they can’t, they might be stuck. The earliest Denver can move on from Wilson is with a post-June 1 release designation in 2024, and even then, it is a nasty hit to their salary cap. The Broncos would take a $35.4 million dead cap hit in 2024 and 2025.
The ghost of Wilson will haunt the Broncos organization for years to come, but it may be best to rip the Band-Aid and move on.
What Options Does Denver Have To Replace Wilson?
The Broncos season has hit rock bottom following their loss to Zach Wilson and the Jets, and this is a team that gave up 70 points in a game just two weeks ago to the Miami Dolphins.
At the current rate, the Broncos are on pace to finish with one of the worst records in the NFL, and a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft may merit Denver its future franchise signal-caller.
-Broncos selling at the TDL
-Caleb Williams to Denver
-Russell Wilson finished
pic.twitter.com/C0CxJlpZF2— 𝙆𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙖𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 (@dreamzz_kidd) October 8, 2023
Denver would be foolish not to select a QB like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or other top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft if given the chance. And if the Broncos don’t end up with the first overall pick, Maye seems to be the next best thing in this year’s quarterback class.
PFN Scouting Analyst Ian Cummings had this to say about Maye in a recent evaluation: “While Williams is a fan favorite, it’s understandable to prefer Maye. While Maye may not have Williams’ exceptional improvisational skills, this 6’4″, 220-pound Tar Heels player is a talented athlete with a natural throwing arm.
“Decision-making has thus far been Maye’s biggest Achilles heel in chasing Williams. Maye gets overly ambitious at times, whereas Williams has mastered the skill of thriving in chaos.”
Social Media Reacts to Wilson’s Latest Debacle
To our shock and dismay, social media has thoughts following Wilson’s latest effort. But the best one came from the Jets’ official X account.
when you lose to the "offseason champs" pic.twitter.com/FzNIqGWZks
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2023
Other fans sounded off on Wilson during and after the game.
Broncos Russell Wilson every game💀 pic.twitter.com/Nsu4u1JkQJ
— 𝓓 𝓡 𝓐 𝓒 𝓞💕 (@UpThaDraco) October 8, 2023
Russell Wilson: Broncos country. Let’s ride!
The ride: pic.twitter.com/Lwz1cl6sz8
— GeoffinLincoln (@GeoffinLincoln) October 8, 2023
Russell Wilson Sean Payton. What a vibe. pic.twitter.com/V46z658OmF
— vinny oats (@SlipperyPete360) October 8, 2023