Russell Wilson finished his second season on the bench as the Denver Broncos missed the playoffs for the eighth straight year.
Although it appeared the Broncos were heading toward trading Wilson, Denver head coach Sean Payton said in January that the team was still considering a “final decision” on the quarterback.
Wilson told Brandon Marshall on the “I Am Athlete” podcast that he wants to remain with the Broncos.
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Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos plays against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on December 24, 2023. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
“Honestly, I’m more fired up than ever, especially considering the last two years and what I’ve been through,” the 35-year-old Super Bowl champion said. “Whether it’s Denver or somewhere else. I hope it’s Denver. I hope I can finish there. I committed there. I want to be there.”
He added that he hopes to win at least two more Super Bowls in the next five years.
“What’s important to me is winning. I want to win two in the next five years,” Wilson said. “I want to feel the coldness of that trophy again. I love this city and everything else, but you want to be in a place that loves you too. I want to win, that’s all I care about. That’s all there is to it.”
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton (center) looks on at quarterbacks Russell Wilson (left) and Jarrett Stidham at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on January 7, 2024. (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/Denver Post, Getty Images)
Wilson was benched for the final two games of the season. He also revealed that the Broncos approached him during the team’s bye week and told him they would bench him if he didn’t rework his contract.
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Wilson said the conversation revolved around injury protection in the five-year, $245 million contract he signed last year. The contract begins next season.
Wilson’s 2025 salary is estimated to be $37 million, fully vested in March. NFL Network reported that the financial situation would be complicated if the quarterback suffered a significant injury at any point during the season.
Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on December 31, 2023. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Payton and Wilson seemed to have a hot and cold relationship throughout the season. Payton was caught on camera yelling at Wilson on the sideline multiple times during the season.
The peak of the quarterback-coach relationship came during a five-game winning streak. After the bye week, Wilson pushed his team to three straight wins until the Broncos dropped three of their next four games.
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Denver finished the year with 8 wins and 9 losses. This was the most wins since a nine-win season in 2016.
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