On Friday, newly hired Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton revealed a Russell Wilson plan that involved asking the QB to do less.
“The two greatest allies for a quarterback are defense and run game,” Payton said on “PFT Live,” via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper. “We need to take him off the high dive the whole time. He’ll need to be there six to eight times a game, though.”
The Broncos defense was solid, ranking eighth in yards allowed. On the other side of the ball, running back Latavius Murray led Denver with 703 yards on the ground in 12 games.
Why is Payton placing more pressure on the defense and ground attack?
It could be because, at age 34, Wilson lacks some of his old playmaking magic — he can no longer carry a team or flip momentum in close games.
The Broncos had 13 one-possession games in 2022 and lost nine of them. Wilson started in 12 of these and went 4-8.
Wilson’s career-low 16 touchdown passes also suggests that he’s lost some of his big-play ability.
Although Payton salvaged Drew Brees’ career in New Orleans, he held more untapped potential. Brees was 27 when the Saints signed him in 2006 and made his first Pro Bowl two years earlier.
Using a different system that slows a game’s pace is wise because Payton isn’t pinning all hopes on Wilson recapturing his elite form.
