The Denver Broncos have pulled a Las Vegas Raiders/Derek Carr 2.0. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Broncos will bench quarterback Russell Wilson for the final two games of the regular season, preserving their financial flexibility for the offseason.
Sources: The #Broncos are, in fact, benching Russell Wilson for the final two games, preserving their financial flexibility for the offseason.
Jarrett Stidham starts. pic.twitter.com/8sh7ORek5Q
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
Wilson has an injury clause in his contract, trigging $37 million in guaranteed salary for 2025 if he remains injured by March 2024. The Broncos can now make a deal regarding their franchise signal-caller this off-season without being on the hook for his contract, as they would be if he got hurt in the final weeks of the 2023 season. The Raiders sat gunslinger Derek Carr last season for similar matters, starting backup Jarrett Stidham in his stead. Stidham is now with the Broncos and the backup to Wilson.
Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson: Bounceback 2023 Season
Wilson put a disastrous inaugural season with the Denver Broncos behind him, posting solid numbers with the club in 2023. The year closes on Wilson with two games remaining, with the nine-time Pro-Bowler tossing 26 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. Wilson threw 16 touchdowns to 11 picks in 2022, his first with the Broncos. Wilson led Denver to a five-game winning streak during the middle of the season, allowing the AFC West club to claw back into the postseason picture. He tossed eight touchdowns against no picks during that span. However, Denver has lost three of their last four, including a heartbreaking 26-23 walk-off defeat against the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve.
Jarrett Stidham: Gets Starting Nod for Week 17
The Denver Broncos will turn to backup Jarrett Stidham for the remainder of the 2023 season. The 27-year-old is in his first year with the Broncos, previously playing for the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. The Auburn product has tossed six touchdowns against seven picks in his NFL career while completing 59% of his passes. Stidham played well this preseason, throwing for 416 yards and a score on 57 pass attempts.
The Broncos also have former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci on the roster. The James Madison product started a game for the Cowboys in 2020, going 21-of-40 for 180 yards without scores or picks. He also ran five times for 22 yards.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!