New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton didn’t hold back when discussing how quarterback Russell Wilson played during the 2022 NFL season.
“There’s probably a little bit of dirt on a lot of people’s hands,” Payton recently said about Denver’s woeful 5-12 campaign, as shared by Jon Heath of Broncos Wire/USA Today. “When you win five games, it is what it is. I don’t think I need to elaborate any more. It wasn’t good. Wasn’t good on offense, that’s for sure. It was hard film to watch.”
The Broncos acquiring Wilson via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks and then signing him to a massive extension may go down as the worst overall moves of the 2022 offseason.
According to ESPN stats, the 34-year-old ended his first campaign with Denver ranked 27th among qualified players with a 36.7 adjusted QBR and 31st with a 60.5% completion percentage. He recorded 16 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in 15 games and allegedly lost at least some within the locker room due to his on-the-field performances and off-the-field antics.
It was suggested in February that Payton had “no choice” but to work with Wilson for at least one year. There have also been whispers that free-agency acquisition Jarrett Stidham could receive an opportunity to replace Wilson this coming fall if the one-time Super Bowl champion doesn’t reclaim his Pro Bowl form before Halloween.
“He’s super competitive,” Payton added about Wilson. “He’s won at a high level. He’s someone that I think moves well. He’s someone that I think works extremely hard. It’s hard to find guys with all those traits.”
In a perfect situation, Wilson will silence critics and immediately guide the Broncos to multiple September wins in Payton’s system. It’s clear this spring, though, that Payton won’t shy away from speaking his mind if he’s disappointed with Wilson at any point between now and January.
