“Broncos Coach Files for Divorce from Quarterback Russell Wilson: Who Gets Custody of Thunder?”
From “Let’s Ride” to “Last Ride” in two years.
The Denver Broncos were hit with shocking news on Monday as head coach Sean Payton filed for divorce from quarterback Russell Wilson. The divorce proceedings have left fans wondering who will get custody of Thunder, the team’s beloved mascot. This unexpected turn of events marks a disappointing end to Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos, which began just two years ago with high hopes and expectations.
When Wilson arrived in Denver in March 2022, he was determined to make history and lead the Broncos back to their former glory. However, things did not go as planned. The Broncos will now face an $85 million salary cap hit over the next two seasons, making it one of the costliest mistakes in NFL history.
Wilson was initially seen as a savior for the Broncos, a former Super Bowl champion who had the potential to turn the team’s fortunes around. Unfortunately, his performance on the field fell short of expectations. Despite winning 11 games, Wilson’s return on investment was cringe-worthy, reminiscent of the Rockies’ ill-fated trade of pitcher Mike Hampton in 2002.
While Wilson cannot shoulder all the blame, his decision to reinvent himself as a pocket passer under coach Nathaniel Hackett in 2022 and his struggles in the red zone this past season certainly contributed to the team’s downfall.
The Broncos’ quarterback woes can be traced back to the retirement of Peyton Manning, who left a void that the team has struggled to fill ever since. John Elway’s failed attempts to find a suitable replacement, including drafting Paxton Lynch and signing Joe Flacco and Case Keenum, only added to the team’s quarterback woes. When George Paton took over as general manager in 2021, he inherited this mess and knew that finding a franchise quarterback was a top priority.
Desperate to solve their quarterback problem, Paton made a bold move by trading four draft picks and three starters to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Wilson. However, this trade now serves as a cautionary tale of desperation, as the Broncos gave up everything and handed all the power to Wilson. The revised contract that was part of the deal will never be fulfilled, as Wilson will never play a down on his five-year, $242.5 million extension.
The relationship between Wilson and the Broncos quickly soured, with Wilson given the freedom to bring his entourage into the building and act as a pseudo-coach. This experiment proved to be an epic failure, as Wilson sacrificed a season trying to run an offense that was designed for Aaron Rodgers, the team’s original target before he signed a new contract with the Green Bay Packers.
Wilson’s time in Denver was marked by controversy and animosity from fans. Many Broncos fans disliked him or even hated him, making it clear that he was not the answer to the team’s quarterback woes.
When Payton was hired as head coach 13 months ago, he made it clear that he was not married to Wilson and would give him a season to prove himself. However, it only took 15 games for Payton to make the decision to bench Wilson in favor of Jarrett Stidham. Payton was brought to Denver to fix the Broncos, not Wilson, and he believed that the team’s offensive struggles, particularly in the red zone, were primarily Wilson’s fault.
The relationship between Payton and Wilson reached a breaking point when the Broncos asked Wilson to adjust his contract during the bye week last October. Wilson refused, and it was then that a benching was first discussed. The relationship between the two had become strained, and it was clear that they were no longer on the same page.
As the season came to an end, Wilson held onto a glimmer of hope that things could work out, but it was not meant to be. Wilson reached out to express his disappointment with the way things ended in Denver and his desire to win with the team. However, it was clear that the relationship had run its course and it was time for both parties to move on.
Now, the focus shifts to Payton and the Broncos’ future. Payton’s legacy and his path to the Hall of Fame will be defined by his next move. The pressure is on him to find the right quarterback and lead the team back to greatness. Despite the disappointment of the Wilson era, Payton remains confident in his ability to find the right fit for his offense.
As the Broncos enter a new chapter without Wilson, fans are left wondering who will take the reins and lead the team to victory. The search for a franchise quarterback continues, but one thing is certain – the Broncos’ quarterback position has gone from Hall of Fame to Hall of Meme in just eight years.
While the divorce between Payton and Wilson marks a sad ending to their time together, it also signifies a fresh start for