Repairing the fence between the Broncos and quarterback Russell Wilson would require a lot of wood and nails.
Mark Maske’s washington post This was reported by the NFL Players Association. threaten legal action The decision was made in early November based on a perceived threat that the Broncos would bench Wilson if he refused to change the vesting deadline of his $37 million injury guarantee in 2025.
“The Denver Broncos recently notified Mr. Wilson and his authorized contract advisor that if Mr. Wilson does not renegotiate his player contract to waive certain salary guarantees, the Broncos will remove him from the starting lineup. This has been brought to our attention,” the NFLPA wrote to the NFL and the Broncos in a letter dated Nov. 4. “If the Broncos follow through on the club’s threats, the club would be in violation of the collective bargaining agreement, Mr. Wilson’s player contract, and New York state law, among other things. We are particularly concerned that they may be attempting to commit a violation of the law.”
No action was taken. Some in Wilson’s camp will say the complaints and threats of lawsuits were the only reason the Broncos didn’t bench Wilson. One might also wonder why no complaints or lawsuits were filed this week, since the Broncos finally overcame the threat of benching him.
Not taking legal action after being benched would be considered an acceptance by Wilson that his current level of play is not where it should be and that the team’s position that it is based on performance is true and accurate. there is a possibility. Alternatively, the lack of legal action could mean the threat was a bluff, perhaps aimed at calling the team’s bluff on its threat to bench Wilson. It might be something.
What would have happened if a complaint or lawsuit had actually been filed? Did the NFLPA try to force the Broncos to play Wilson?
Player contracts do not guarantee the right to actually play. Every week, multiple players under contract are suspended. He’s one of only 11 players on the field at a time each week.
Also, why can’t the Broncos bench Wilson to preserve his contract options? This isn’t the first time this has happened. The Raiders accomplished that last year with Derek Carr. (More details to come later today.) Back in 2015, Washington put Robert Griffin III on the bubble wrap as his fifth-year option was guaranteed due to injury. They didn’t want him to get hurt, because they didn’t want to owe him money. If they had offered to play him if he waived his injury guarantee, would that have been a CBA violation?
Ultimately, the Broncos asked for flexibility in 2024 and 2025. They didn’t want Wilson’s $37 million 2025 salary to be tied up by a 2023 injury. they made demands. Wilson refused. The fact that he involved the union, and that all of that comes to light today, will make it even more difficult for the Broncos and Wilson to find a way to stay together beyond 2023.
The relationship is currently broken. It’s unlikely the relationship will mend enough between now and March for the Broncos to commit to paying Wilson another $37 million.