Broncos Bench Russell Wilson for the Remainder of the 2023 Season
Even with two games remaining in the 2023 regular season, and the Denver Broncos still competing for a playoff spot, they’re making a really strange move. The Broncos have decided to bench quarterback Russell Wilson for the final two games and will start backup Jarrett Stidham, who will make his first start of the 2023 season in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Wilson will dress for the game against the Chargers as the second quarterback option. Let’s look into why Wilson is being benched these final two games.
The reason behind the quarterback switch is strictly financial. Wilson has a 37-million-dollar injury guarantee for 2025 that becomes fully guaranteed in March. Sitting Russell, in the final two weeks ensures he doesn't suffer a catastrophic injury and provides the Broncos financial flexibility if Sean Payton and the Broncos' upper management decide to move on from the 35-year-old quarterback in 2024. Broncos coach Sean Payton said to reporters, “Look, I can tell you we're desperately trying to win, sure, in our game today there are economics and all those other things, but the No. 1 push behind this -- and it's a decision I'm making -- is to get a spark offensively." The Las Vegas Raiders used a similar tactic last season, benching Derek Carr in favor of Jarrett Stidham.
In 15 games this season, Wilson had a passing percentage of 66.4%, throwing over 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He averaged about 204 passing yards a game in 2023. Russell Wilson’s best game this season was against the Washington Commanders on September 17th. Wilson went 18 for 32 tossing 308 passing yards while having three touchdown passes, and one interception in a 35-33 loss.
