Russell Wilson And Sean Payton Need To Manage Egos To Make Next Situation Work

The worst kept secret in the NFL isn't a secret anymore: The Denver Broncos say they will release quarterback Russell Wilson after the NFL league year begins March 13.

And now only two issues of intrigue remain:

1. Where will Wilson resurface?

2. What is it about the enormous egos that led to this boondoggle that threaten the future for Wilson and the Broncos?

More on those in a moment.

The Broncos released a statement on their pending move.

Wilson Trusting God For Great Future

So the Broncos are focused on building the strongest team possible "for the 2024 season and beyond" by getting rid of their best quarterback. Got it.

Wilson, for his part, released his own statement that boils down to the fact his future is uncertain but his faith in God is unwavering.

"God's got me," Wilson wrote on X. "I am excited for what's next."

Wilson also thanked certain teammates and the fans. His farewell did not mention Payton nor general manager Georg Paton, who traded for him and gave him a whopping $245 million contract in 2022.

Broncos Confirm What We Knew

And no one is surprised by this, least of all me. Because this move that Denver is painting as a decision just made was actually made, oh, around December. 

I told you as much last week. And when the season ended in January. 

And in December when this all began with Wilson's benching.

So this is not news.

The news is what's next. 

That has to start with what teams are in the market for a Russell Wilson. Sources have previously told OutKick that Wilson is willing to give his next team a market-friendly bargain on the first year of a new contract because he's getting $39 million from the Broncos in 2024 despite, you know, not being on that team.

Russell Wilson has had a horrible, disappointing season. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)

Handful Of Teams Could Be Wilson's Next Stop

So what teams may be in the market for a 35-year-old quarterback who is about to be on his third team in four years?

The Atlanta Falcons.

The Las Vegas Raiders.

The Minnesota Vikings.

Possibly the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And maybe (longshot here) the New York Giants.

Each of those teams have quarterback questions. The Falcons, Raiders and Vikings are scouring avenues for finding a 2024 starter because the players currently on their roster are unlikely to fit that need.

The Steelers are looking for significant competition for incumbent starter Kenny Pickett.

The Giants are not necessarily looking to replace Daniel Jones but they want a quarterback behind him who can win. And a quarterback who will definitely be healthy at the start of the season, as there are questions whether Jones, recovering from ACL surgery, will be 100 % at that time.

Payton Approach To Wilson Was Doomed

And then there's Wilson, obviously. He has a say in all this. He is looking for a chance to start. And he wants to go to a team with a likelihood of being good.

So there's the football part. But none of this answers the chief question of why this is happening?

The answer is because of egos, folks. 

There was something in the shotgun wedding between Payton and Wilson that definitely went awry. Payton, not an easy person to get along with, took the Broncos job intent on reigning in Wilson rather than embracing him. Before he took that job, he found something in Wilson that he simply didn't like and needed to change.

That's an awful way to go into a relationship that needs to be airtight to achieve success. 

Maybe it was Wilson's demeanor. Or Wilson's personality. Or something other than the fact Wilson threw 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in 15 games. But whatever it was, it led directly to Payton not wanting Wilson as his guy before the season ended. 

So, yes, Sean Payton's ego led to this.

Russell Wilson Not Without Flaws

And, yes, Wilson's ego also led to this. 

Wilson, you see, has a certain way of operating. He's never been openly problematic or the cause of any team dissension. But there is, some have complained, a sense of entitlement at times that sets some coaches off.

Wilson is about hard work, mind you. He works as hard as anyone on the club, if not harder. But he likes everyone to know it. And acknowledge it. 

And that apparently bugged Payton.

So the question going forward is how much Wilson can veil that sense that he has to be appreciated publicly so  he can make it work with his next coaching staff? Can he change to where it's not an issue?

As for Payton, he's old school. And he'd probably be best suited to finding a quarterback in the draft. Or finding one that comes already humbled. Because Payton also likes to get his proper credit and acknowledgment, too, for the success the quarterback gets. 

The NFL is a talent driven league, folks. But that talent is often driven by ego. And that was a problematic thing in this case.