Broncos appear to have comfortable backup plan if Russell Wilson flops again
from Clark Dalton, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
Denver Broncos fans hope Sean Payton salvages Russell Wilson, but they must prepare for a worst-case scenario in case the head coach and quarterback do not gel.
Both are distinct personalities who could clash. This was evident when the HC told the former Pro Bowler he needs to focus less on “Russell Inc.,” per ESPN’s Seth Wickersham.
In addition, Wilson may not suit Payton’s high-tempo offense.
“When the Wilson-Payton dynamic is considered by some coaches and personnel executives around the league, they wonder about Wilson’s willingness to pick up the pace in the passing game as well as Payton’s patience to figure it out,” wrote ESPN’s Jeff Legwold.
If Wilson flops, Payton could turn to backup QB Jarrett Stidham. Stidham appears more talented than the average backup. Per 247Sports, he was rated as the No. 4 QB recruit in 2015 coming out of high school, ahead of stars such as Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
Last season against the 49ers while with the Raiders — the league’s top scoring defense — the 27-year-old flashed his upside in his first career start. He threw for 365 yards and three TDs in a 37-34 Raiders loss.
“I think it’s a No. 2 that his arrow is moving in a direction where we think he can become an NFL starter,” Payton said of Stidham in March, via Pro Football Talk. “So the evaluation was pretty crystal clear for all of us.”
Signing Stidham to a two-year, $10M deal was smart. He can push the former Super Bowl champion and give Denver a fallback plan.
Wilson must perform immediately. Otherwise, Payton won’t put up with the 34-year-old and will roll the dice on an intriguing, young backup.