Broncos Brass: 'Door Remains Open' on a Russell Wilson Return in 2024
The Denver Broncos have to hit the NFL draft out of the park this year or risk falling deeper into football purgatory. Time is now the most precious commodity, so the Broncos won't procrastinate too long in deciding the fate of the expensive Russell Wilson experiment.
During Tuesday's end-of-season press conference, Broncos head coach Sean Payton acknowledged that finding some clarity at the quarterback position will be a pressing order of business, but only after careful consideration. However, Payton intimated that a Wilson reconciliation is still possible.
"When we get back and we begin this process of looking at our roster and where we select—there are so many things that go into a decision specific to the quarterback, which is significant, obviously," Payton said. "It's too early. I spent half an hour with 'Russ' (QB Russell Wilson) yesterday. I told him, 'I don't think it will be a long, drawn-out process, but it hasn't been decided, relative to what our plans are. As soon as we know something, he would be the first to know."
GM George Paton echoed Payton on Tuesday on the door being open to a Wilson return.
“The door remains open with ‘Russ,'" Paton said. "I’ve had good conversations with Russ, and Sean has had good conversations. The door is open. We’ll get through the process, and we’ll visit with the coaching staff and scouting staff. We’ll visit with Russ and his people, and we’ll go from there.”
CEO and co-owner Greg Penner said similar things relative to Wilson but also pointed to the financial situation (IE, Russ' amenability to restructuring his contract) will be key in determining whether the QB remains with the Broncos.
“The financial part of it is a significant component, in terms of how this works out in the future, but that’s not what will drive the decision," Penner said on Tuesday. "The decision will be driven by what’s in the best interest of this football team winning games.”
Beyond quarterback, the Broncos have glaring needs at multiple positions across the roster. Paton dished on how the Broncos are looking to add speed to their overall dynamic.
"You always want to add speed, but you also want physicality," Paton said. "You want instincts, and you want smart players, especially in this scheme. Speed is a premium in this league, and we're always looking for fast guys. We have a few fast guys on this team, but no doubt. We are looking for speed, but that's just one part of it."
With each day only further widening the rift in the Wilson/Broncos relationship, the team is poised to be looking elsewhere for an option under center. The rumor mill will be in overdrive regarding potential collegiate QBs right up until the Broncos' draft pick gets announced by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Navigating the complex draft process becomes even more difficult when it includes the long-term ramifications of quarterback evaluations. Sitting with the No. 12 overall pick, the Broncos are outside of the sure-fire range of landing one of the 2024 class' top-3 QBS, which might force Paton and Payton into making a costly trade.
Such a scenario almost certainly would lead teams to ask about the availability of the Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II. That's a situation that may present itself in the build-up to the draft, though it's far from a guarantee Surtain will be dealt.
While Paton's admiration for Surtain is obvious, ironing out a new lucrative contract for the 23-year-old looms.
"We're all big fans of Pat," Paton said. "We're going to have a big meeting in a couple of weeks and go through the entire roster, Pat included. We want Pat here for a long time, but I'm not prepared to make any statements on anything moving forward."
Trade or no trade, the Broncos getting an edge in the draft won't be easy, especially with so many quarterback-needy teams positioned ahead of them. Regaining the QB high ground will be a front-office war of attrition, but Paton believes some crucial continuity on the coaching staff can help the Broncos make all the right decisions moving forward.
"It's going to be huge," Paton said about continuity. "We've had three coaches in three years. It's hard on the building, and it is hard on the scouts. [We've had] new coaches coming in and out... Last year at this time, we were looking for a coach, but we feel like we have a big jump on the offseason because of that."
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