Numerous players will be under strict scrutiny this NFL season and Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson is one of them. Based on previous NFL performances and given the amount of investment that has gone into making him the franchise quarterback, this year is going to be a crucial one for both Wilson and the team. 

On the latest episode of ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ aired on the 29th of August, a panel consisting of host  Mike Greenberg, ESPN insiders Dan Graziano and Mike Tannenbaum, accompanied by guest speaker, former Dallas Cowboys defensive end, engaging in discussing upcoming NFL topics, including the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos. One of the most harrowing questions that faced the panel was- Will Russell Wilson be “benched in 2023?”

Possibilities that might play out 

Following discussions on “Can Patrick Mahomes break single-season record for Pass yds?”, a momentary disruption following the replacement of Greenberg’s white and green Aaron Rodgers legacy jersey by a green one, the show finally wheeled over to “Russell Wilson’s expectations” this season. 

There were two major questions that were put forth by the hosts. One, is coach Sean Patrick Payton going to “understand the assignment” and “fix Russell Wilson?”  Or two, is Russell Wilson “going to get benched?”

ALSO READ: Distraught Russell Wilson Admits Tough Times Cause Hurt to Broncos Ride

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end and sports analyst, Christopher Lee Canty, explained how the main job of the Denver Broncos is to win the game. It is on the basis of this- “wins and loses”– that coaches and players are scrutinized. 

“Fixing of Russel Wilson will be nice given the investment the ownership group made,” he says. He is of the opinion that the head coach is not concerned about the amount spent by the team on a player, “If Russel Wilson cannot play the way Sean expects him to play, I can absolutely see a world where Russel Wilson benched in 2023.”

Dan Graziano says that “fixing Russel Wilson” would be the easiest and most cost-effective thing to do for the team since it did not involve embarking on a lengthy and expensive quest for a new franchise quarterback. “If Sean Payton is convinced that Russel Wilson is not the guy that Denver wins Super Bowls with, he is going to start looking for who that guy is” he concludes. 

He does not think that there is any other player in this league who is under as much pressure as Russel Wilson is because of what happened last year. 

What really needs “fixing”

“This was that guy that was headed for the Hall of Fame,” If he plays badly this year he might get replaced. At Comp pot (60.5), Pass TD (16), and total QBR (37) Russell Wilson’s performance as a quarterback was one of the worst last year, even though his shift from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos was a significant and impactful trade and he was signed for a massive $240 million 4 year extension with the Denver Broncos.

Hailed as one of the NFL’s best running quarterbacks of all time, Wilson also has a lot of people supporting his abilities, with few like  Christopher Lee Canty, comparing him with Aaron Rodgers.

“Oh yeah, Russell has done enough to be a Hall of Famer, now you wouldn’t know it based on the way he played last year, but since Russell Wilson has come into the league, he’s third in touchdown passing behind only Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.” Chris Canty stated on ESPN’s First Take show when asked about Wilson’s chances of getting into the Hall of Fame.

Players including Aaron Rodgers have been through rough years and rocky beginnings, but that does not make their skills redundant. There is always faith that, like Rodgers with the Jets, Wilson too can have an outstanding year with the Broncos. Both might even find themselves competing against each other for MVP or the Hall of Fame since, in Chris Canty’s words, “You can’t look back at the last decade of football and talk about it without talking about Russell Wilson.”

WATCH THIS STORY: NFL phenomenon Russell Wilson displays unconditional love in a single frame of his queen and prince.