Russell Wilson, the star quarterback of the Denver Broncos, seemingly addressed the news of his benching and likely end of his tenure with the Broncos with a post on X on Wednesday night. Wilson, who joined the Broncos in 2022 in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks, had a disappointing season with the team, leading the worst-scoring offense in the NFL.
Wilson posted a picture of himself in a Broncos jersey with the caption “Trust the process” and a prayer emoji. The post sparked speculation among fans and analysts about what Wilson meant by the phrase and whether he was hinting at his plans.
Wilson’s benching came after a dismal performance against the New England Patriots in Week 16
The Broncos announced on Tuesday that they would start backup quarterback Brett Rypien over Wilson for the final game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs. The decision came after Wilson threw for only 129 yards and no touchdowns in a 27-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday, dropping the Broncos to a 3-12 record and eliminating them from playoff contention.
Wilson, who signed a five-year, $242 million contract before the season, expressed his frustration and disappointment with the benching. He also said he respected the coach’s decision and would support Rypien.
“I always want to be out on the field. I’m an old-school quarterback in the sense that you have to be out there. But I understand the situation. I’m going to do whatever I can to help Brett and help this team win,” Russell Wilson said.
Russell Wilson future with the Broncos is uncertain as he faces a potential trade or release.
Russell Wilson’s benching also raised questions about his future with the Broncos, as he could be traded or released before the 2024 season. Wilson’s $37 million salary for 2025 becomes guaranteed in March, which could force the Broncos to consider moving on from him to avoid a serious injury or a hefty cap hit.
Wilson, who turns 36 next year, has not ruled out the possibility of playing for another team but also said he loves being in Denver and hopes to win a championship with the Broncos.
“I came here to win and win a championship for us. And find a way to do that. I obviously love being here with these guys and these teammates. And I’m excited to keep playing ball and playing hard for us,” Wilson said.
Wilson, who won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2014, has been one of the most consistent and durable quarterbacks in the NFL, never missing a game in his 12-year career. He has thrown for 43,589 yards and 314 touchdowns, with a career passer rating of 101.7. He has also made eight Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams.
However, Wilson’s production and efficiency declined significantly this season, as he completed only 59% of his passes for 2,369 yards and eight touchdowns, with five interceptions and 28 sacks. He also struggled with turnovers, fumbles, and accuracy issues, leading to the Broncos scoring only 14.3 points per game, the lowest in the league.
Wilson said he takes full responsibility for his mistakes and shortcomings and vowed to work hard to improve his game and regain his confidence.