Russell Wilson on the HOT SEAT, Williams RETURN'S & more

Russell Wilson on the HOT SEAT, POOKIE Williams RETURN'S & more

Denver Broncos star quarterback Russell Wilson is reportedly on the hot seat after failing to deliver a successful season since joining the franchise in 2022. The Broncos stepped out on faith and traded their 2023 first round pick and 2024 second round pick for a 2024 third round pick. In addition, They acquired Hall of Fame coach Sean Payton as their next head coach.

New year, New Wilson

Last season Wilson was handicapped by an offense he was not comfortable with. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett and Wilson failed to get on the same page. He had to learn a new playbook under a new coach and couldn’t adapt to a system that wasn't tailored to his strengths. Thus the firing of Hackett.

Wilson went on to have one of the most disappointing seasons of his career. In his 15 games played, Wilson had a passer rating of 83.5% with 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His passer rating declined by 19.6 points from last season's 103.1%

In short, Sean Payton turns everything he touches into gold. Payton is one of the most accomplished NFL head coaches. The man that transformed Drew Brees into a Hall of Fame quarterback. He molded Taysom Hill into a high caliber quarterback, drew confidence into Jamison Winston who was interception pron and went 5-0 with Teddy Bridgewater as a starter. The proof is in the pudding, now it's up to Russ to get the job done.

It will be interesting to see if Wilson can deliver in his second season with the franchise. “I think Russell Wilson has that toughness and the mindset and the mentality to bounce back,” Kareem Jackson said on The Jim Rome Show.

The ball is in your court now Mr. Wilson. Since being traded to Denver, the organization has given you everything you need to succeed. Invest in a like-minded coach in Sean Payton. Building an offensive line with quality protection and the time he needs to make decisions and throws down the field.

They have also provided him with an array of talented receivers, tight ends and running backs, giving him plenty of options to get the ball to. And the defense has shown itself to be one of the most effective in the league, providing the team with a solid foundation to build off of.

Speaking of weapons

Running back Javonte Williams has returned to the field for non-contact practice. He is now expected to be ready for the start of the NFL season. Williams has been rehabbing from a knee injury that caused him to miss the majority of of last season. The Denver Broncos' running game took a huge hit when Pookie got hurt down.

Because of it Payton and the Broncos beefed up their running back depth. The team has added Samaje Perine, Tony Jones Jr, and Jaleel McLaughlin.

“He’s working in a limited capacity,” Payton said. “We’re being smart, obviously. I’ve said this to you [media members] before, we were encouraged heading into this time of the [off]season. So it’s good to have him out here.”

Depth is a major part of the running game. Injuries happen and it's imperative to have a backup plan. Having a reliable backup is essential to ensure the team can continue to compete at a high level. It's also important to have someone who can learn from the starter and provide a spark when needed. Having a strong depth chart is a key factor in success.

Speaking of BACK-UP'S

Jarrett Stidham, the backup quarterback for the Denver Broncos, was rated among starting-caliber quarterbacks for 2023. The Broncos' aging quarterback Russell Wilson has been declining in form, and the team needed a strong backup who could fill in when necessary. Stidham's rating suggests he could be the answer to their problem.

With a long season ahead, he is expected to get an opportunity to start in the upcoming season. Stidham has played three seasons for the Patriots and Raiders. He has thrown for 926 yards and six touchdowns.

BYE BYE Brandon McManus

Out with the old and in with the new. Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos have informed kicker Brandon McManus that they are releasing him. They are looking to make a change and have worked with a few kickers this past week. These kickers are USC's Parker White, Nebraska's Brett Maher and Bengals' Elliott Fry. Denver officially signed Fry and waived RB Tyreik McAllister on Wednesday May 31, 2023.

The last remaining member of Denver's last Super Bowl team, Brandon McManus took a full page ad in Sunday's Denver Post thanking more than 150 staff members.

McManus played a huge role in bringing a championship to Denver and will be missed. He was a leader on and off the field, setting an example for his teammates and the entire organization. McManus was known for his consistent performance on the field, regularly hitting long-distance field goals and kickoffs that gave the team a huge advantage.

He now takes his talents to Jacksonville where he will be the team's starting kicker. McManus is looking forward to the new challenge and is eager to help the team succeed.

RESIGN CUT'S & SURGERIES

The Denver Broncos have signed free agent defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster. He is expected to add depth to the Broncos defensive line and provide much needed run stopping help.

Denver also cut OT Hunter Thedford to make room for OT Cam Fleming on the roster. He re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million dollars. Fleming's return solidifies the Broncos offensive line heading into the 2023-24 season.

DT's Mike Purcell and D.J Jones are coming off minor offseason surgeries and are currently held out of OTA'S