Report: Russell Wilson situation may hurt Broncos in free agency

Aug 11, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos may have a perception problem stemming from their handling of the Russell Wilson situation.

In an appearance on “SportsCenter” Saturday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested that the Broncos may have to overpay for free agents, at least in the short term, stemming from their threat to bench Wilson if he refused to re-negotiate his contract.

-Russell Wilson fallout
–#Bears QB conundrum
-Antonio Pierce’s chances with #Raiders
-Jim Harbaugh NFL buzz

Lots to get to on @sportscenter with @crisalexespn pic.twitter.com/pn0UOnbESa

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 30, 2023

“I’ve talked to several agents around the league who believe Denver, because of how they handled this Russell Wilson situation, threatening to bench him midseason because of the money and the contract that they already did, that there could be some fallout. They might have to overpay for free agents because of the Sean Payton factor,” Fowler said.

The Broncos were within their rights to ask Wilson to re-negotiate his injury guarantee, but the threat of a benching for refusing to do so may cross the line in the eyes of a lot of players. We already saw a few former Broncos echo criticism from one ESPN analyst who called Payton a “thug” for how he has handled Wilson.

Wilson publicly confirmed previous reports on Friday about the Broncos threatening a midseason benching, which prompted the NFLPA to get involved. Players hear about these things, and the perception will not help the Broncos.