There’s drama in Denver between the Broncos and quarterback Russell Wilson. Head coach Sean Payton has benched Wilson due to an injury clause in his contract that the organization reportedly asked him to waive.
NFL analyst Mark Schlereth of the Audacy podcast “Stinkin Truth” sounded off on the discourse surrounding Wilson and the Broncos this week.
“I would look at the situation here and say ‘Listen, here’s what we’re thinking. We’re not completely sure what we want to do in the future, where we want to go as an organization, and we would like you to waive this injury clause – we’re not taking money away from you – just waive the injury guarantee so that we can make a decision going forward,’” Schlereth said (33:30 in player above). “And economically, if you decide not to waive that, then we’re going to have to make a decision whether we decide to bench you or not.’
It makes sense for the Broncos. Wilson hasn’t lived up to expectations and Denver doesn’t want to be on the hook for nearly $40 million in guaranteed money if the quarterback gets injured.
“How is that not the same damn thing that every other player is going through?” said Schlereth, noting that he had been benched in his career. “Why is that not OK?
“You’re not playing up to the standard that we expect a $245 million quarterback to play to. So we’re going to move in a different direction. And hey, to save you the humiliation of getting benched, if you waive this clause in your contract, this guarantee, then we would play you further and push that decision-making process down the road, kick the can down the road. Does that sound like a threat? Is that like ‘Oooh the Broncos are doing him dirty and they’re dealing dirty.’”
The Broncos are just doing what any team would do with any player, Schlereth said. In fact, he actually was threatened to take a pay cut during his time in Washington.
Schlereth had already been to a Pro Bowl, turned down an invitation to another one due to surgeries, and helped Washington win a Super Bowl as part of one of the best offensive lines in league history. Yet, the organization had questions about him due to injury issues.
“They call me in Friday after practice. This is after practice on a Friday, very first week of the season,” he recalled. “Walked up to the general manager’s office, had a new contract laying on the counter, and said if you don’t accept this pay cut, we are going to cut you after you start on Sunday,” he said. “And oh, by the way, everybody’s rosters are full right now so you’re going to have a tough time getting a job. That’s the NFL I grew up in. Yeah, it’s a cutthroat business, I understand that.”
At least Denver is trying to work with Wilson rather than just benching or cutting him.
“Maybe the quarterbacks don’t play in the same league that the rest of us play in. Some of us don’t get the option to cut our pay, some of us just get cut,” Schlereth said. “Why? Because that’s the business of the National Football League.
“It doesn’t bother you when it’s not a quarterback. It doesn’t bother you when it’s just some grunt. Oh, but now, now this is where we plant our flag. Baloney. That’s bulls–t. It’s bulls–t. Sorry. You don’t like it? Play better. Russ hasn’t played well. He hasn’t played well in two years.”