Russell Wilson has made significant revelations about his experience with the Denver Broncos, particularly regarding his benching for the final two games of the 2023 season due to a contractual dispute. Speaking on Brandon Marshall’s podcast, Wilson shared that the benching was a result of his refusal to comply with the team’s demands regarding his injury bond.
According to Wilson, the Broncos wanted him to update his injury bond, and failure to do so would result in him being benched for nine games unless he agreed to forgo the injury guarantee for the rest of the season. Marshall, expressing surprise and likening the situation to “extortion,” highlighted the suspicious behavior exhibited by the Broncos.
Wilson, unsure initially about involving external parties like the NFLPA, eventually had his agent take the matter to the organization. The NFL declared the Broncos’ actions as “illegal,” but despite the league’s intervention, Wilson was still benched for the final two games of the season.
In his account, Wilson asserts that the Broncos utilized unfair tactics to pressure him into waiving his injury guarantee. However, he chose not to yield, considering the potential negative impact on future players. This situation raises concerns about the ethical conduct of teams in contractual matters and emphasizes the importance of protecting players’ rights in the NFL.
