NFL Rumors: Russell Wilson Observes Silence Before Raiders Siege as Jarrett Stidham Bags Golden Opportunity

Published 01/06/2024, 11:35 AM EST

We can’t imagine what Wilson might be going through. Being benched as a 35-year-old veteran player is bad enough. But being benched towards the fag-end of the season is worse. As the door closes on one player’s dreams, another’s doors open. Jarrett Stidham has been on cloud nine ever since it was announced that he would be leading the Broncos. And he did not disappoint. In his first game as a starter, he defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 9-16.

Sunday’s win or loss will determine if they will record their first winning season since 2015. In that year, they also won the Super Bowl. It’s a make-or-break game for Broncos Country. Right now, they’re on the fence with a 0.500 record. As the Denver Broncos prepare to take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, will Stidham come through?

Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ deafening silence

Russell Wilson has dropped hints as to how he’s been feeling. He is a team player and whenever any of his players achieves something notable; he is the first to congratulate them on X. But ever since Stidham replaced him as starting QB? Crickets. He tweeted about Courtland Sutton not making it to the Pro Bowl. He even congratulated three of his teammates for making it to the Pro Bowl. But no congratulations to Stidham.

The Broncos have also maintained a deathly silence. When they quietly tried to bench him during their bye week, the pushback from the NFL and the NFLPA prevented them from doing so. Then he won five straight games for his team and they were silent. But then the defeats started mounting, and they took the drastic step.

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When asked pointedly about the matter, HC Sean Payton chose to postpone and shift the confrontation. “There will be a time and place at the end of the season where some of the questions you might have, someone else will be able to answer.” He mentioned this to The Athletic. Can Stidham placate the Broncos and end his season with a 2-0 record?

Jarrett Stidham to fight against his previous team

There’s a weird coincidence at work. Last year, Stidham was with the Raiders. The story is eerily similar to that of Wilson. The QB, Derek Carr, was benched with two games to go, and Stidham started instead of him. Now he’s replaced Wilson. Speaking at a press conference, he said that he remembers his time at Sin City, fondly. “I spent a year there and made a lot of relationships with a lot people. But I’m here now, so I’m looking forward to playing against those guys.”

Stidham, at his time with the Raiders, had tanked both games. But with the Broncos, he brought his A-game! He ended the game with one touchdown while throwing nil interceptions. He also recorded 224 passing yards and successfully completed 20 of his 32 passes. But will that be enough?

The Broncos will take on the Raiders at 4:25 p.m. ET on January 7. The battleground will be Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.

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I am a hardcore believer in the ?Mamba Mentality?, which certainly applies to the NFL. The sport is not just about physical prowess but also demands a powerful mindset. Growing up, I spent time with athletes on the neighborhood soccer field.

Edited by:

Garima Yadav