ORLANDO, Fla. — It took some deciphering to find out why Russell Wilson wasn’t a fit in the Sean Payton offense.
When asked directly about the team’s decision to release the quarterback, Payton offered no more than a Belichickian platitude.
“We felt it was in the best interest of our team,’’ the Denver Broncos’ head coach said here Monday morning during his 38-minute press conference at the AFC Coaches breakfast. “Now as we go forward we’re in the middle of free agency, we’re preparing for the draft. We’ll look at both of those avenues to not only address quarterback but to address the other spots on our team. … I think we’ve got a pretty good plan in place. We understand what we’re doing and we’re going to be smart about it.”
About Wilson’s fit with his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Payton was again nice but guarded.
“It’s a good opportunity for Russ,’’ Payton said. “First off, they’re a playoff team, a team that wanted to make a change at quarterback and certainly he has a chance to be a starter there.”
But then later, Payton was asked not about Russ but what the team needed -- or has to do what? -- to score more points?
“No. 1 we can’t take as many sacks,’’ Payton said. “If you looked at any of the data relative to what it does for your drives, I think that was a big thing that hurt us a year ago.’’
A ha! There. You. Go.
Wilson was sacked on four consecutive series in the third quarter of the Broncos’ critical loss to underdog New England on Christmas Eve. He has been the NFL’s most sacked quarterback, with 527, since he joined the NFL 12 years ago with an even 100 coming in his 30 games the past two seasons with the Broncos.
But the Broncos’ sack issue wasn’t all on Russ. Jarrett Stidham was sacked seven times in two games, including five in the finale at Las Vegas.
Was it difficult to release Wilson given the consequences of the severe $53 million dead-cap hit the Broncos took for 2024, with another $32 million in dead-cap money due in 2025?
“No. I mean it’s always difficult when you take on a cap hit like that,’’ Payton said. “We spent some time deciding how we were going to take that and then we moved forward.”
Other topics Payton addressed on Monday:
Is it realistic to think the Broncos can move up from their No. 12 slot in the NFL Draft?
“I think that’s realistic. I think it’s realistic. What’s hard to predict, though, is what’s on the receiving end. I think it’s good to be Monti today at Arizona. So it’s hard to predict what that cost is and yet I certainly wouldn’t say it’s unrealistic and we’ll pay close attention to it.”
Monti Ossenfort is the general manager of the Arizona Cardinals, who have the No. 4 overall draft pick. Can the Broncos move from No. 12 to No. 4? It may be hard to believe but Payton suggests to start believing. Or maybe he wants the Vikings, at No. 11, to believe it, too.
Is Stidham in the driver’s seat to be the Broncos’ starting quarterback?
“He’s definitely going to compete to be the starter. I don’t think we have a term, ‘driver’s seat,’ really. But he is going to compete for that position. I know he’s anxious and excited to do that and I’m sure there will be other candidates that will be competing with him.”
On when Stidham’s upside potential reaches what he is as a quarterback:
“Fair question. I just don’t think we’re there. … In fairness to him, I’m anxious to see where that spot is (raises his hand to eye level) where we say, all right, that’s it. I don’t think we’ve seen it, yet.”
On not signing any of the 24 quarterbacks who came off the market, either through trade, re-sign or sign with a new team, in the past three weeks:
Per sources, the Broncos were in on Sam Darnold, who instead signed with the Vikings, and “had interest” in Sam Howell, who instead was dealt to Seattle. On to next.
“Certainly I think we’re a place where other quarterbacks would like to come to and yet we weren’t just going to sign a quarterback to sign one.’’
Is this, as so many suggest, a rebuilding year for the Broncos?
“Yeah I get that. In our league it’s, you regroup and you get ready to play. We’re still in the midst of assembling our roster. If you paid attention to that, there’s a ton of different seasons I’ve been a part of that never would have had the success we had relative to the expectations. I think we’ve got to get better in a lot of areas. We’re excited to do that.”
On releasing Pro Bowl and perennial second-team All Pro safety Justin Simmons:
“There was a lot that went into that. It would be, see Klis’ question relative to taking on $53 million or $36 million(in dead-cap charge). I can probably reference that for a few more of these questions.
“But it’s difficult especially for someone like Justin who’s really been a first-class player for the organization, someone who I know is respected highly in our league, certainly by us as coaches. That was difficult. That’s the hard part of this job sometimes. It wasn’t any fun.”
On trading No. 2 receiver Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland and is second-year player Marvin Mims Jr. ready to replace him?
“I’m excited for him and his opportunity. He and I, I think had a pretty close relationship. Obviously, he was able to get a new contract (three years, $58 million) so as coaches you want to see that for your players. Marvin certainly will be a candidate to play more snaps because of that and there will be some competition, I’m sure.”
On J.J. McCarthy and other draft-eligible quarterbacks:
Payton said he attended private workouts the Broncos held for J.J. McCarthy and other draft-eligible quarterbacks.
The perception is there are four top quarterbacks with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye going 1, 2, 3 and then McCarthy is No. 4 followed by Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr.
“I think you tune out the stuff you read. We just saw the second run of the draft class a few years ago (2021). Everybody loved these prospects and now they’re all with different teams. The reality is one, maybe two of these guys will have a chance at success. And then you have those leap years where three or four do. I think the key is, what’s the fit relative to your team? … It’s a good group when we’re talking about some of these younger quarterbacks. Certainly, they’re well-prepared, they’ve been well-coached. They’ve been well-coached in college relative to the game. And you see the success on the field.
“It was a harder decision 20 years ago. It was a harder time to evaluate the QB and the left tackle and the right tackle and it was an easier time to evaluate the inside linebacker. We’ve kind of gone full circle.”
Left tackles now pass block as they would in pros. An inside linebacker, though, tends to play different positions in college.
On the angst amid Broncos Country largely because the quarterback position remains unresolved:
“I would rather the angst be now than in September and October.”
On new Broncos’ director of player personnel Cody Rager, who worked with Payton in New Orleans:
“He’s got a great eye for talent. I think probably in my opinion was our best evaluator in New Orleans relative to the college players.’’
On the new gimmicky kickoff rule that will likely be approved in May:
“I like the rule.”
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