Russell Wilson explains why his rushing stats are so minuscule thus far

Russell Wilson is associated with the scramble-like eggs, but to begin his Denver Broncos career, we have not seen the most mobile version of the star quarterback.

In 10 seasons with Seattle, he rushed for 4,689 yards, topping out with 849 in 2014. Wilson is a rare QB who has both had five touchdown games through the air and a three-touchdown game on the ground.

But in two games with Denver, Wilson has moved for just five yards on three attempts. That means his first set of games as Bronco were among the 15-worst of his career in rushing. And you may say that Wilson has slowed down at 33 years old. Yet in 2020, Wilson ran for 513 yards and two touchdowns to supplement 4,212 and 40 touchdowns through the air.

Happy Birthday to the Scramble King

👑 @DangeRussWilson

🔥 @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/dq6UPYZBIw

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) November 29, 2019

“I think we were getting the ball out really quick in the first game,” Wilson said. “In the second game, we were trying to make contested plays, and then it really we got to guys like Javonte (Williams), and Melvin (Gordon) run the football. We’ve rushed for 150 some yards, just getting them the football as much as possible. I’m always ready to take off if I need to certain situations, but it’s really the guys have been doing a great job of just getting open and trying to work and and make plays.”

Williams has 118 yards on the ground and another 75 through the air, primary on check downs and designed short passes. Gordon has gone for 105 on the ground and 20 via catches so far.

While Wilson’s explanation makes sense, he also has not looked very mobile in the pocket so far. But in all fairness, he’s on a brand new team, calling for a different scheme, and his 2021 season was derailed by injury. One wonders if we just haven’t seen Wilson run in orange yet or if he doesn’t have that aspect of his game anymore.

***