NEW DELHI: The
Denver Broncos
have decided to bench star quarterback
Russell Wilson
in favor of backup
Jarrett Stidham
for the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Multiple reports had earlier suggested the possibility of shutting down Wilson for the final two games to prevent any potential injuries, but head coach
Sean Payton
confirmed that Wilson would serve as the backup quarterback this week.
The decision to start Stidham echoes a similar situation from last year when he was with the
Las Vegas Raiders
, where the team opted to bench starter
Derek Carr
for similar reasons. The Broncos are faced with concerns about Wilson's long-term future, considering his massive contract and the team's mediocre results.
"I spent time with Russ this morning, and he's been a pro," said Coach Payton. "Obviously disappointed. All the work that goes into doing what he does, or doing what they do at that position, is difficult and challenging. The future is something we haven't discussed yet."
Wilson, who has a $37 million injury guarantee for 2025, faces potential financial implications if he were to suffer an injury before the end of the season. Payton emphasized that the decision to start Stidham was primarily aimed at sparking offensive improvement and expressed confidence in the backup quarterback.
"We're desperately trying to win, and sure in our game there are economics and all those other things, but the No. 1 push behind this is to get a spark offensively," Payton explained. "If I didn't feel like (Stidham) gave us a chance to win, we wouldn't be making that move."
The Broncos, currently holding a 7-8 record, are clinging to extremely slim playoff hopes as the 12th seed in the AFC. Despite a five-game winning streak earlier in the season, they have lost three of their last four games. The move to start Stidham is an effort to improve offensive production and efficiency across the board.
"It's more about what we weren't doing effectively enough offensively," Payton stated. "Ultimately, our job is to get the ball in the end zone, and we have to be more efficient doing that -- all of us."
Russell Wilson, 35, has had a challenging season, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 15 starts. In contrast to his successful tenure in Seattle, Wilson has struggled to replicate his previous success with the Broncos.
Jarrett Stidham, 27, has appeared in one game this season, and his last starting experience dates back to filling in for Derek Carr with the Raiders last year. Stidham, eager to prove himself, will be aiming for a strong performance against the Los Angeles Chargers. Coach Payton expressed confidence in Stidham's competitive nature and desire to play well in the upcoming game.
(With Reuters inputs)
English (US) ·