NFL Analyst Exposes Sean Payton’s Mishandling of Russell Wilson as Steelers QB’s Eagles Domination Comes to Light

The Broncos finished the 2023 season with an 8 and a 9 record… And Russell Wilson? The man with the hefty contract found himself backing up Jarrett Stidham for the last two games. Ouch! But the decision might not seem so bizarre when you hear that Denver was 11-19 in Wilson’s starts over two seasons. And the playoffs? Nowhere in sight.

So, you can kinda see why they hit pause on Russ. However, when we see that ‘dead and beaten’ Russ rise from the ground to play like he’s balling for Pitts, steering them to 10-3. We can’t help but ask if Sean Payton did him dirty because, under Mike Tomlin, he seems like a different beast.

On Move the Sticks, Bucky Brooks drew an interesting parallel: “It’s funny because it’s a full circle moment for Russell Wilson.” Brooks points out how Pete Carroll nurtured Russ back in Seattle—a solid defense and a clear culture. All Russ had to do was take care of the ball and show up during crunch time.

Tomlin seems to be running a similar playbook. “Mike Tomlin has found a way to… protect Russell Wilson from the onslaught of criticism by allowing Russell to be himself.” It’s a vibe that’s clearly working. But Sean Payton? Not so much. See, the thing is, Payton’s relationship with Wilson has been the football equivalent of a busted screen pass.

Even worse? No matter how hard they tried to keep it within the walls, they couldn’t (or maybe they did not even do that). It was all out in the open. Robert Griffin III didn’t hold back, saying, “Russell Wilson’s biggest opposition this year was Sean Payton.” Harsh, but RGIII wasn’t wrong. Payton’s public support for Russ felt half-hearted at best, and reports of private doubts only fanned the flames. Sports Illustrated even dropped the bomb: “Sean never liked him as the guy from Day 1.” If true, that’s a rough way to start a partnership.

Sure, it wasn’t Russ’ best time out there when he was repping the Orange Crush. The stats from 2023 didn’t help Wilson’s case either—60.5% completion, 3,524 yards, 16 TDs, 11 picks, and an 84.4 passer rating, the lowest of his career. But Payton was known to make careers of his under-center stars out of scratch. Some would still argue that Mr. Clutch was because of Payton.

However, arguing is one thing and the numbers to prove them are another thing. Payton-Wilson just did not click together. Couple that with the Broncos’ fans being brutal, and it was never going to work for Russ in Denver. As one put it, “He was paid to win a bunch of football games and he hasn’t.” Tough crowd.

Wilson has kept his silence in front of the mics. But now he is clapping back at those critics with his performances on the gridiron. “All the people deriding him for his corny dad jokes,” Brooks said, “who’s having the last laugh now?” Russ is 6-1 as a starter, and next up is the Eagles. Now, if we don’t talk about his connection with Philly (or rather record against them), that’d be truly unfair.

Russell Wilson’s perfect run or the Steelers’ drought

You see, the next game is a conundrum. The Steelers vs. the Eagles… That screams: THRILLER. Both have been rolling with the winning vibes—Steelers at 10-3, Eagles at 11-2. But here’s the kicker: the Steelers haven’t beaten the Eagles in Philly since… drumroll… 1965. Yep, nearly six decades of heartbreak in the City of Brotherly Love. But this time, the Steelers have Russell Wilson, and that changes everything.

Let’s talk about Russ. The man’s got a flawless 6-0 record against the Eagles. Four of those wins? Right in their backyard at Lincoln Financial Field. Oh, and in those games, he’s thrown nine touchdowns to just one interception. Nick Sirianni, the Eagles’ head coach, couldn’t help but gush when asked about Wilson’s resurgence with the Steelers. “Good player who has been a good player for a very long time. A lot of respect.” Sirianni didn’t get into the nitty-gritty of how Wilson transformed since Denver, but he knows this isn’t the same guy the Broncos benched.

Wilson’s stats since taking over for Justin Fields in Pittsburgh are straight fire: 64.8% completion, 1,784 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just three picks in seven games. That’s efficiency with a capital E. Meanwhile, the Eagles, despite their stellar record, have had their bumps. Remember A.J. Brown’s sideline meltdown after the Panthers game? Yeah, Philly’s passing game isn’t all smooth sailing.

This game has playoff implications written all over it. The Eagles are eyeing the NFC’s top seed, but the Steelers have their own agenda. A win here wouldn’t just keep their momentum—it’d end a 59-year drought in Philly. So, what’s it gonna be? Wilson’s perfect streak or another year of Eagles dominance at home? Strap in, folks. This one’s got all the makings of a classic.