It’s possible that quarterback Russell Wilson’s benching last week was part of a test. If it was, Wilson most certainly failed.
The decision was made. Coach Sean Payton said that he was attempting to energize the offense. In terms of business, the Broncos were able to keep Wilson healthy, allowing the franchise to determine whether to keep him beyond March 18, when his 2025 salary of $37 million moves from guaranteed for injury to fully guaranteed. (If Wilson had sustained an injury that would not heal by March 18, their options would have been limited.
Things didn’t settle down in the days after the relocation. Wilson informed reporters that he was threatened with benching if he didn’t modify his contract in late October. Someone released a letter from the NFL Players Association threatening him with legal action if he did not extend the vesting date of his 2025 guarantee.
It causes tension, upheaval, and ugliness. Payton, a Bill Parcells disciple, will not be pleased with the effort to air bad laundry.
Things did not calm down in the days after the relocation. Wilson told reporters that he had been threatened with benching if he did not change his contract before the end of October. Someone leaked a letter from the NFL Players Association threatening him with legal action if the vesting date of his 2025 guarantee was not extended.
It creates anxiety, unrest, and ugliness. Payton, a Bill Parcells disciple, will be dissatisfied with the attempt to reveal dirty laundry.
Wilson, on the other hand, is expected to be available for a one-year, $1.21 million contract with the Broncos covering the rest. That sort of deal might make another club lot more likely to ignore whatever nastiness has occurred or will occur between the Broncos and Wilson.
It all boils down to whether or not other teams feel he can play at a high level. Good quarterbacks are difficult to come by. Nothing else matters if a talented quarterback can be had for $1.21 million.