Sean Payton now says there's still a chance Russell Wilson will return to the Broncos.
Wilson was benched by the Broncos' head coach for the team's final two games of the season, as it was widely speculated that the quarterback's time in Denver was coming to an end.
Nevertheless, Payton told reporters on Tuesday that he met with Wilson for 30 minutes on Monday but did not slam the door on a possible return.
“I told him, 'Look, I don't think it's going to be a long, drawn-out process,' but that's not set in stone yet compared to our plans,” Payton said. As covered by ESPN. “As soon as we know something for sure, he will be the first to know.”
Payton, 60, was asked if this meant there was a path for Wilson to return for a third season with the Broncos.
“Yeah, listen, otherwise it would have been, 'Hey, bye,'” Peyton responded. “We look at all scenarios and try to do what's best for the Broncos. But communication is going to be important, and certainly that final decision has not been made yet.”
It would be surprising if the Broncos brought Wilson back unless he reworks his contract, and it remains to be seen if the quarterback agrees to it rather than testing the open market.
Perhaps the main reason the 35-year-old Wilson was benched is that he is owed $37 million in 2025, which would be fully guaranteed if he was still on the roster this March. However, it would have been guaranteed had Wilson been seriously injured in the team's final. 2 matches.
After being benched, Wilson publicly expressed interest in returning to the Broncos.
“I came here to play, to win. I knew it was going to be a process. I signed a seven-year contract to play hard. Every time I stepped between the white lines. , my goal is to give it everything I have,” Wilson said in December.
“I want to be here, I want to play here, I want to win here, I want to win a championship here. No matter the situation, no matter the score, I want to give it my all every week.
“In these circumstances, I want to be the best teammate and leader I can be. That's why I was here practicing every day. I told Jarrett, [Stidham], I will do whatever it takes to help him, move them forward, and guide them on the right path. That's all I know. “
The Broncos went 8-9 last season, Payton's first year as head coach.
