1 year, 2 months ago

Broncos mailbag: Pondering post-Russell Wilson QB options in Denver

The Denver Broncos next week will begin the work of grading their roster, an important step before turning their full attention to 2024. If Sean Payton believes he can build a more explosive and efficient offense around one of those quarterbacks — one that gives the unit a larger margin for error — we can’t discount the Broncos pursuing that and making deeper cuts elsewhere. What I can’t see is a scenario in which the Broncos chase a quarterback like Cousins and hang on to many — if any — of their 12 unrestricted free agents. GO DEEPER Broncos signal readiness to move on from Russell Wilson — and for what follows Why did ownership hire Sean Payton if it was well-known beforehand that he didn’t align with Russell Wilson at QB? And reaching a decision with Wilson — even if it wasn’t the one all parties hoped would come to fruition — will be an important inflection point for the Broncos.

Work Team Nuggets Season Quarterback Nfl Million Coach Russell Wilson Vikings Wilson Parker Cousins Draft Broncos Denver Joseph Payton Russ Sutton Sean Payton options draft coach team quarterback million season work postrussell wilson pondering broncos denver qb mailbag

History of this topic

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Broncos at the trade deadline: What history could say about Sean Payton’s plans

New York Times

Monitoring the NFL trade deadline can be like trying to decipher Morse code at a rock concert. Last Friday, he seemed to knock down the idea of his team making a deadline acquisition when he said simply about his team, which would soon improve to 5-3: “I like where we’re at with this group.” Then came the aftermath of Sunday’s …

6 months, 1 week ago

Broncos offense has regressed since releasing Russell Wilson. Can Sean Payton fix it?

New York Times

DENVER — Russell Wilson is being paid $37.79 million by the Broncos this season to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “That side of the ball needs to get cleaned up and it starts with me,” said Broncos coach Sean Payton, who benched Wilson with two games left last season, then released him in March at the cost of $85 million …

7 months ago

Zach Wilson has been energized by Broncos experience. But what comes next?

New York Times

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Zach Wilson was zooming along an upward trajectory during Denver Broncos training camp when he smacked into a 261-pound roadblock. … I have to find a way to start better.” In Wilson’s uneven performance, though, Broncos coaches saw an opportunity. Broncos coach Sean Payton described it as a “heater” for Wilson as he showed off the arm …

7 months, 1 week ago

What we’ve learned about Bo Nix, Zach Wilson and the Broncos’ QB situation

New York Times

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos weren’t running from the fact that Bo Nix was struggling last week. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi conceded there was “not as much confidence” in Nix’s eyes as he was being downloaded with those concepts for the first time. “You never feel a panic, so there’s a calmness to him,” Payton said last week when …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

No clarity yet about who will start at quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2024

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The only clarity in the Denver Broncos’ quarterback competition two weeks into training camp is that no clear-cut leader has emerged. Jarrett Stidham was listed first on the team’s initial depth chart this week, followed by Zach Wilson at second-string and rookie Bo Nix behind him. That led to quite a national conversation noting Nix’s supposed standing …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Several QB competitions going on in NFL training camps, including Raiders battle, Steelers rivalry

Associated Press

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Aidan O’Connell at Purdue and Gardner Minshew at Washington State were used to fighting for their jobs, and little has changed in the NFL. It’s just good to be back out here again with the guys, putting the helmet on and really getting to work today.” Patriots First-year Patriots coach Jerod Mayo is keeping an open …

10 months ago

Sean Payton praises all 3 quarterbacks competing for Broncos starting job

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos closed out their first week of OTAs Thursday with coach Sean Payton praising all three quarterbacks competing for the starting job and cautioning that nothing should be read into the order in which they take snaps. “There’s going to be a time when you read into the reps, I don’t think it’s early in …

11 months ago

Pittsburgh Steelers draft Payton Wilson: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel

New York Times

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected NC State linebacker Payton Wilson with the 98th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday, adding a potential future starter in the third round. NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300? Draft pick grades: Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate Rounds 2-3 …

11 months ago

Jets trade quarterback Zach Wilson to the Broncos, AP source says

Associated Press

Zach Wilson was expected to be the face of the franchise for the New York Jets. The Jets are sending Wilson and a seventh-round pick in this week’s NFL draft to the Broncos for a sixth-rounder, the person said. ESPN reported New York and Denver are splitting Wilson’s $5.5 million salary for this season as part of the deal. He …

11 months, 1 week ago

Moving on from Russell Wilson debacle leaves Denver Broncos in rebuild mode with QB among many needs

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos are in the market for a quarterback again. Wilson’s acquisition from Seattle in 2022 cost the Broncos four premium draft picks and his departure from Denver this spring after he went just 11-19 carries its own hefty price tag. Parting with four premium picks in the Wilson deal is a recurring cost for the …

1 year ago

Jim Harbaugh: Chargers could get top non-quarterback in NFL draft

LA Times

Since the Chargers already have their quarterback, coach Jim Harbaugh says he can pick the best other position player in the draft with the fifth pick. “If four quarterbacks go in the first four picks, that’s not like the fifth pick anymore,” he said at the annual owners’ meetings. He called McCarthy’s performance last week in Ann Arbor “the best …

1 year ago

Ryan Clark calls Sean Payton 'a man still mourning his lover' and claims Broncos coach 'never treated Drew Brees the way he treated Russell Wilson' after QB's tense Denver exit

Daily Mail

Former NFL player Ryan Clark has compared Sean Payton to 'a man still mourning his lover' and insisted he never treated Drew Brees the way he treated Russell Wilson in Denver last year. When Payton took over in Denver following the disastrous reign of Nathaniel Hackett in 2023, things didn't get better and the head coach eventually benched Wilson with …

1 year ago

Howe: A peek behind the scenes of the Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield deals

New York Times

The three biggest names on the quarterback market were whisked off the board within 24 hours at the dawn of free agency, as Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson evaluated their markets and struck on their opportunities. GO DEEPER Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield agree to 3-year, $100 million deal Mayfield appreciated the way the Bucs set him up for success …

1 year ago

Russell Wilson allowed to talk to other teams before his release after dreadful run in Denver ended two seasons into his five-year $242.6m deal

Daily Mail

The Denver Broncos have given soon-to-be free agent Russell Wilson the green light to talk to teams around the NFL before free agency starts next week. On Wednesday, sources told ESPN that the Broncos have allowed Wilson, 35, to take meetings in other cities days after being informed that he was getting cut after two seasons in Denver. 'Over these …

1 year ago

NFL fans label Russell Wilson's trade to the Broncos the worst in HISTORY as the quarterback is released by Denver 19 months after signing a new five-year, $245m contract extension

Daily Mail

Russell Wilson is set to be released by the Denver Broncos later this month - which NFL fans believe will cap the worst trade in the history of the sport. NFL fans believe Russell Wilson's trade to the Denver Broncos is the worst in history Wilson is set to be released by the Broncos later this month after a miserable …

1 year ago

Denver Broncos inform QB Russell Wilson they'll release him when new league year begins

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Broncos also will take a record $89 million …

1 year ago

Is Russell Wilson a Hall of Famer? Assessing his future, legacy after Broncos flameout

New York Times

The list of NFL teams with strong interest in Russell Wilson appears small. That increases the chances a team could sign Wilson for relatively cheap, but if that happens, the quarterback’s new team could more easily move on from him as well. Wilson could fit with a Raiders team that wants to win with defense, a strong ground game and …

1 year ago

Denver Broncos inform QB Russell Wilson they’ll release him when new league year begins

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Two years ago, Russell Wilson exuberantly declared he intended to play a dozen years in Denver and double the trio of Lombardi Trophies in the Broncos’ lobby. On Monday, the Broncos informed Wilson they’d release him next week when the new league year begins. The Broncos also will take a record $89 million hit in dead cap …

1 year ago

Denver Broncos inform Russell Wilson he is being released, allowing the franchise to avoid an extra $37million fully guaranteed... as Sean Payton looks to start fresh

Daily Mail

The Denver Broncos are officially moving on from quarterback Russell Wilson, it was announced on Monday. 'We spoke with Russell Wilson today to inform him of his release after the start of the league year,' general manager George Paton and Sean Payton said in a joint statement. The Denver Broncos are officially moving on from quarterback Russell Wilson We’ve notified …

1 year ago

Sean Payton’s quarterback pursuit and other Broncos takeaways from the NFL combine

New York Times

When the Denver Broncos return from the NFL Scouting Combine, they will continue charting a path they hope will lead to the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2016. I’m always going to put others before me and I’m going to be honest about everything.” GO DEEPER Broncos coach Sean Payton knows what he wants in QB. But I think the …

1 year ago

Sean Payton hints at moving on from Russell Wilson, says Broncos have to hit on ‘the next one’ at QB

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sean Payton isn’t providing anything definitive on Russell Wilson’s time in Denver but he did hint at the Broncos moving on from him when he suggested the team cannot afford to miss on “the next one” at quarterback. Asked if he embraced the idea of finding a solution at quarterback, one that’s eluded coaches and GMs ever …

1 year ago

Broncos to make Russell Wilson decision in next 2 weeks, but little mystery remains

New York Times

INDIANAPOLIS — The Broncos appear to be just a few crossed T’s and some dotted I’s away from saying goodbye to Russell Wilson. “I saw this humorous meme the other day of a Broncos fan with a shirt on and there were like eight quarterbacks names with a cross through it, and he’s drinking the quarterback Kool-Aid,” Payton said of …

1 year, 2 months ago

Even under Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos were a drama-filled team that missed out on the playoffs

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sean Payton was hired to clean up the mess Nathaniel Hackett left behind, put the Denver Broncos back on the path to the playoffs and salvage the $242.6 million investment the team made in Russell Wilson just five months earlier. Wilson, who went 11-19 in orange and navy, revealed after he was benched that management had approached …

1 year, 2 months ago

Broncos’ silence after Russell Wilson’s benching is deafening: Sando’s Pick Six

New York Times

Cover 7 | Monday A daily NFL destination that provides in-depth analysis of football’s biggest stories. Payton belittled Wilson early in the season when he said, “Russ has gotta be sharper with getting the play out, and then we’ve gotta look at how much we have in. The team could have decided to play hardball with Wilson, consistent with Payton’s …

1 year, 2 months ago

Broncos QB Russell Wilson says he was asked earlier in season to adjust contract or risk benching

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As quarterback Russell Wilson explains it, his job was in jeopardy nearly two months ago and after the Denver Broncos’ biggest win. “I know every time I stepped on the field it’s a physical game,” said Wilson, who has thrown for 3,070 yards, along with 26 TD passes and eight interceptions this season. He’s handled it well …

1 year, 2 months ago

Broncos’ quarterback options after Russell Wilson? They’ll have to come cheap

New York Times

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — After spending the bulk of his Wednesday meeting with reporters explaining the benching of Russell Wilson as a win-now move, Broncos coach Sean Payton revealed another motivation behind making Jarrett Stidham the team’s new starting quarterback. If Payton determines the 27-year-old fifth-year pro is ready to be a full-time starter for the first time, his low figure …

1 year, 2 months ago

What now for Russell Wilson? Patriots, Raiders and other NFL team fits for 2024

New York Times

Breaking: Patriots hire Jerod Mayo Russell Wilson’s ride with the Denver Broncos may be over. — Tashan Reed, Raiders beat writer GO DEEPER 2024 NFL Draft order projections: Commanders keep tanking, Vikings drop into top 10 Why Wilson might be a fit: This feels like a Hail Mary of sorts, which, considering Wilson is the subject, seems fitting. — Alec …

1 year, 2 months ago

Broncos bench QB Russell Wilson and will turn to Jarrett Stidham, AP source says

News 18

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.: The Denver Broncos are benching quarterback Russell Wilson, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. It’s a remarkably similar situation to last year when Stidham started the Las Vegas Raiders’ final two games after the team benched Derek Carr and sent him home in a business decision. The person said this circumstance …

1 year, 2 months ago

Denver Broncos bench QB Russell Wilson and will turn to Jarrett Stidham

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos are benching quarterback Russell Wilson in a move that could have major ramifications for both his future and theirs. “I can’t replace the entire offensive line, I can’t bring in five new receivers,” Payton said, “and if it continues over a period of time, then there’ll be another guy here talking to you, as …

1 year, 2 months ago

Russell Wilson expecting to be cut by Broncos in March after midseason contract dispute: Sources

New York Times

By Larry Holder, Nick Kosmider and Dianna Russini Russell Wilson is expecting to be cut by the Denver Broncos in March, per league sources. — Dianna Russini December 28, 2023 Jarrett Stidham, Wilson’s backup for the first 15 games, is in line to start the final two against the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. The Broncos want to …

1 year, 2 months ago

Broncos’ trade for Russell Wilson was a disaster, but blame extends past QB

New York Times

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When the Denver Broncos were nearing the finish line in negotiations with the Seattle Seahawks in March of 2022 for a blockbuster trade of quarterback Russell Wilson, general manager George Paton went to new head coach Nathaniel Hackett and asked him to look at the veteran’s tape. But in hindsight, amid Tuesday’s news that the Broncos are …

1 year, 3 months ago

Broncos mailbag: A path to an AFC West crown? Is Russell Wilson the ’24 starter?

New York Times

The Athletic has live coverage of Lions vs. Broncos It’s almost Christmas and the Broncos are in the thick of a playoff race. “We’re a game out in our division, and that’s how we’re looking at it,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Monday, noting the slim gap between his team and the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs. It hasn’t been …

1 year, 4 months ago

Broncos’ Sean Payton-Russell Wilson pairing is working — it also must evolve

New York Times

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Russell Wilson was enjoying a clean pocket. GO DEEPER 'Never a doubt': Broncos build more belief in winning drive vs. Vikings “Between using his legs and creating a little bit and then just taking the checkdown, there’s been a lot of that on tape where Russell showed some patience and seeing his progressions,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell …

1 year, 4 months ago

Broncos predictions at NFL midseason: There’s no replacing Russell Wilson in 2023

New York Times

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos are emerging from their bye with a two-game winning streak, but they face a massive test on the road against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. The Broncos’ win over the Chiefs broke a 16-game losing streak to the division rivals and gave hope Denver could turn its season around after a 1-5 start. …

1 year, 5 months ago

Payton can’t back up his harsh words for Hackett as Wilson, offense bungle their way to another loss

Associated Press

DENVER — The expression on Sean Payton’s face when his quarterback retreated to the sideline after his last-minute fumble sealed Denver’s latest loss was a combination of exasperation, irritation and frustration. Payton didn’t do himself any favors at the start of training camp when he ripped Hackett for the job he’d done in Denver, particularly the way he handled Wilson …

1 year, 6 months ago

Sean Payton can’t blame Russell Wilson for this. Will he anyway? Sando’s Pick Six

New York Times

The Sean Payton era in Denver was already tabloid fodder before his Broncos made the wrong kind of history in his third game as their coach Sunday. • Cardinals’ edge could be coaching • Cue John Facenda for Pack’s comeback • New head coach scorecard: 4-5 vs. 0-6 • J.C. Jackson and the 2022 free agents • Two-minute drill: 49ers’ …

1 year, 6 months ago

Russell Wilson’s improved play is the silver lining to the Broncos’ latest loss to the Raiders

Associated Press

DENVER — Despite coach Sean Payton’s dud of a Denver debut, the Broncos’ season opener showed his restoration of quarterback Russell Wilson is going well. Now, if Wilson can get Jerry Jeudy and Greg Dulcich back on the field, he might be able to throw for more than the 177 yards he did Sunday in Denver’s 17-16 loss to the …

1 year, 6 months ago

Sean Payton is out to fix the Broncos’ offense. That starts with a Russell Wilson rebound

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sean Payton’s quest to restore the Denver Broncos’ long-lost offensive swagger in 2023 starts with resurrecting Russell Wilson’s career. It’s not whether Russ is fixable or not, but we do believe he is.” Payton is just the man to oversee Wilson’s rebound, said NBC “Sunday Night Football” analyst Cris Collinsworth. And now, I think he’ll do things …

1 year, 6 months ago

Broncos coach Sean Payton aims to help Russell Wilson revive his career after awful 2022 season

Associated Press

DENVER BRONCOS EXPECTATIONS: The Broncos believe they finally have the right coach/quarterback combo to help them end their seven-year playoff drought and six-year run of losing records. Sean Payton’s ground-based offensive schemes provide the foundation for fixing Russell Wilson, who’s coming off the worst season of his career under Nathanial Hackett, who proved way in over his head as a …

1 year, 8 months ago

Broncos 53-man roster projection: Who will win contested spots at wide receiver?

New York Times

The Broncos will begin training camp practices Friday under first-year coach Sean Payton, the first step in a quest to snap the franchise’s seven-year playoff drought. @NickKosmider's five who could surprise in 2023 ⤵️https://t.co/bcX6uVMPGu — The Athletic NFL July 18, 2023 Running back The Broncos almost always put an undrafted player on their initial 53-man roster. If Browning isn’t active …

1 year, 8 months ago

‘A lot at stake’: Russell Wilson’s 2023 season is an inflection point for Broncos

New York Times

The Broncos were never going to move on from Russell Wilson after one season in Denver. During the NFL owners’ meetings in March, Payton said Stidham, who made his first two NFL starts last season with the Raiders, was “quietly an important signing for us” and said the young quarterback’s “arrow is moving in a direction where we feel like …

1 year, 8 months ago

Broncos mailbag: What is a fair expectation for Russell Wilson in 2023?

New York Times

Let’s jump right into the questions from our mailbag, which serves as a useful way to reset where the Broncos are during this quiet period in the NFL schedule. But a finish in that range among the league’s quarterbacks would also represent a massive jump from Wilson’s disastrous 2022 performance and would be more than enough to help Denver’s offense …

1 year, 9 months ago

Brugler: Revisiting my initial 2023 NFL Draft top 50 board from last summer

New York Times

It isn’t where you start, it’s where you finish. From my preseason top 50 article: “In terms of recognition and consistency, Levis isn’t yet a finished product, but the talent and intangibles are why he warrants this lofty ranking.” GO DEEPER Titans' Will Levis, the real-life version, lost his mentor but not his 'very rare' intensity Because of several contributing …

1 year, 10 months ago

Raiders take edge rusher Tyree Wilson at No. 7 in NFL draft

Associated Press

HENDERSON, Nev. — Even with Maxx Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders were among the NFL’s worst in getting to the quarterback. The Raiders took what they hope is a major step toward correcting that problem by selecting Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson with the seventh overall pick of the NFL draft on Thursday night. “I’m excited to join the …

1 year, 10 months ago

Russell Wilson, Sean Payton have cost Broncos in NFL Draft. Will the duo be worth it?

New York Times

On April 28, 2022, as they passed time during the first round of the NFL Draft without a pick at their disposal, front-office executives, scouts and coaches inside the Broncos’ war room fired up some of Russell Wilson’s finest career highlights. With the ninth pick in the 2022 #NFLDraft, the Denver Broncos select …@DangeRussWilson 😎 pic.twitter.com/u7GMBhMo81 — Denver Broncos April …

1 year, 10 months ago

Five Broncos predictions for 2023 NFL Draft: Sean Payton trades up, keeps top WRs

New York Times

The long wait for the 2023 NFL Draft is over for the Broncos. Most likely, the Broncos will first get into the action Friday, when head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton are scheduled to make their first pick early in the third round, at No. Denver will be closer to whole from a draft capital perspective next …

1 year, 11 months ago

Denver Broncos 2023 NFL Draft big board: 40 prospects Sean Payton might target

New York Times

The Athletic has around-the-clock coverage of the NFL Draft. He will be ready to compete for NFL starting reps as a rookie.” GO DEEPER Feldman's NFL Draft confidential: Coaches on 'Draft Dinging' Stroud, weak WRs, sleeper QBs Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern : Brugler compares some of Adebawore’s physical traits to those of Lamarr Houston, a second-round pick of the Raiders …

1 year, 11 months ago

Russell Wilson will benefit from Broncos’ offseason moves, but questions remain

New York Times

There were moments for the Broncos last November, during a midseason loss to the Tennessee Titans, when it became fair to question whether quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense would be able to execute a single play — much less march down the field for a tying score. When new coach Sean Payton called Denver’s 2022 film “hard to watch” …

2 years ago

Broncos’ remaining free-agency needs: New target for Russell Wilson? A center?

New York Times

When the Broncos signed punter Riley Dixon to a two-year deal Tuesday, their comprehensive blueprint for free agency had officially touched every element of the roster. While being the top-spending team in free agency isn’t always an indicator of on-field success to follow, the Broncos have attacked significant needs while shaping the roster in Payton’s image. The bottom line is …

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5 hours, 49 minutes ago

Russell Wilson is heading to the New York Giants, AP source says

Associated Press

Russell Wilson has agreed on a one-year contract with the New York Giants, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. Wilson threw for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdown passes, five interceptions and a 96.5 passer rating for the Steelers. He had 3,070 yards passing, 26 TDs, eight picks and a 98 passer rating for the Broncos …

Giants Nfl Wilson

2 days, 5 hours ago