Former NFL star Robert Griffin III criticized Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton for how he treated Russell Wilson in the wake of the quarterback getting benched for the final two games of the season.
Payton made the announcement on Wednesday, days after the Broncos fell to the New England Patriots. Jarrett Stidham will start the final two games of the season for Denver
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Robert Griffin III criticized Sean Payton on Wednesday. (Getty Images)
The Broncos are reportedly looking to preserve their financial flexibility for the offseason. Wilson has an estimated $37 million in 2025 salary that becomes fully vested this coming March. If the quarterback suffers a significant injury at any point this season, it would complicate the financial situation, NFL Network reported.
Griffin took Payton to task on X.
“Sean Payton has been doing Russell Wilson dirty since the moment he became the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos,” he wrote. “Hasn’t once shown him the respect he has earned as a Super Bowl Winning QB or with the respect you show to a QB your organization traded the farm for.”
Payton said he understood all the financial implications behind the Wilson benching but vowed the team was still trying to win and get to the playoffs.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)
“I understand all the speculation and everything that surrounds a move like that, and I can tell you we’re desperately trying to win,” he said. “Sure, in our game today there are economics and all those other things, but the No. 1 push behind this… is to get a spark offensively.”
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Payton suggested the move wasn’t an indictment on Wilson alone.
“I can’t replace the entire offensive line, I can’t bring in five new receivers and if it continues over a period of time, then there’ll be another guy here talking to you, as well,” he added.
Wilson responded to the benching late Wednesday night.
Russell Wilson of the Broncos scrambles out of the pocket against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec. 24, 2023, in Denver. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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“God’s got me,” he wrote. “Looking forward to what’s next.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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