Russell Wilson says Broncos threatened to bench him over injury guarantee

Jun 13, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during mini camp drills at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson addressed the media on Friday for the first time since the team announced his benching, and confirmed a major report about his issues with the team.

Wilson confirmed that the Broncos came to him after their Week 8 win over the Kansas City Chiefs threatening to bench him if he refused to push back the date of the injury guarantee in his contract. At present, Wilson’s contract would guarantee him $37 million in 2025 if he were to suffer an injury that prevented him from passing a physical next March. The veteran quarterback said he was “disappointed” at the move, and added that the NFLPA became involved when the threat was made.

#Broncos QB Russell Wilson said "They came up to me during the bye week … and told me if I didn't change my contract, my injury guarantee, I'd be benched for the rest of the year."

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 29, 2023

Wilson added that renegotiating the injury guarantee was never a consideration for him.

I asked #Broncos Russell Wilson if he was looking over his shoulder after bye week when there was no adjustment in contract. He also said he was not taking out injury guarantee “because it’s a physical game and I don’t play timid.” #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/Fb6NPVks42

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 29, 2023

“I wasn’t going to remove the injury guarantee. This game is such a physical game. … I know every time I step on the field it’s a physical game. I never play timid. I never play scared,” Wilson said.

Interestingly, Wilson did add that he wants to return to the Broncos next season, though he did not offer any real assurances that he would be willing to renegotiate his contract to make that more possible.

Ultimately, Wilson called Denver’s bluff, and the Broncos did not bench him at that point in the season. The quarterback played seven more games after the conflict before ultimately being benched this week, with Denver’s playoff hopes essentially extinguished.

Even beyond his comments Friday, Wilson has made it quite clear that he is not happy with how Sean Payton and the Broncos have handled the situation. Even though he said he would like to remain in Denver for another season, it seems inevitable that the two sides are going to split after the season.