DROP THE MIKE

After six games, Russell Wilson has lost the right to do things his way

Oct 20, 2022, 6:40 AM

From the moment Russell Wilson became a Bronco, he has gotten his way. His own office at Broncos HQ? Fine. Field and building access for his family and entourage? No problem. A quarter-billion dollar contract extension when there’s still two years left on his current contract? Gulp. Um, sure! Freedom to run the kind of offense crabby Pete Carroll denied in Seattle? You betcha.

The Broncos and Broncos Country were so excited to finally have a legitimate NFL quarterback that whatever Russ wanted, Russ got.

No more. Six weeks of terrible football from Russ and this offense means the rules have got to change. I don’t care about the office and the entourage. My eyes were wide open when they made the trade and I accepted all the corny videos and eye rolling quotes and “Wolverine blood.” I’m fine with all of that as long as he’s playing well. He’s not.

The offense needs to change. Russ can’t get his way anymore. Nathaniel Hackett needs to take control and go back to doing the things that made Wilson a Pro Bowl QB on the fast track to the Hall of Fame while in Seattle.

“Let Russ Cook” needs to become “Make Russ Simmer.” Wilson has to put aside his dreams of becoming the next Drew Brees that dominates from the pocket into his early 40s. That transition isn’t working. At this point, I’m more worried about Russ being an above average QB for the Broncos at age 35. Who cares what he’s doing when he’s 39?

In order for the Broncos to get their money’s worth for the haul they gave up in the trade plus the mega-contract they didn’t need to hand out (hmmmm, who advised against that?), they need to get Russ back to what he was doing in Seattle.

I get that’s a bitter pill of humility for Wilson to swallow. That would be admitting Uncle Pete was right and the kind of offense that caused Russ to chafe is actually the best thing for him.

So run the ball more. Get Russ under center more. Less shotgun. More play action and bootlegs. Move Russ around. Get him on the move making plays which is what made him one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks for the last decade.

Maybe. Maybe down the road Wilson can become a Brees-like, prototype pocket passer. The Broncos can’t wait that long. They need to protect their investment. Russ needs to understand that and willingly go along with the change.

At this point, he has no choice.

***

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