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Controversial Cam Newton Backs Russell Wilson With a Patrick Mahomes Comparison: “Cost Him His Job”

Published 03/09/2024, 11:53 PM EST

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The Denver Broncos are cutting ties with Russell Wilson, ending his rocky two-year tenure. Fans are calling it the worst trade in NFL history. Wilson, a Super Bowl winner with Seattle, arrived in Denver in 2022 but struggled under coach Nathaniel Hackett. While he showed improvement under Sean Payton in 2023, it wasn’t enough. The Broncos finished 7-8 and benched Wilson for the final two games. 

Russell Wilson’s expensive departure from Denver has grabbed the spotlight, capturing the interest of many individuals, including former quarterback Cam Newton. Newton highlighted Wilson’s situation and compared it with other quarterbacks in the league. Also, he delved into where Wilson may have erred, leading to the loss of “opportunity.”

Newton contrasts Wilson and Mahomes

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In a recent interview, former NFL MVP Cam Newton offered his perspective on Russell Wilson’s release from the Denver Broncos. “Ask him off the record,” Newton said. Speculating on Wilson’s feelings, he added, “I guarantee you he’s like bro I want to get the f**k out of here. I want to go somewhere that I’m wanted. He don’t feel wanted in Denver bro. It’s evident. You got pulled!” Newton emphasized that Denver and Wilson simply weren’t a compatible fit. When the interview shifted to draw comparisons with his own time with the New England Patriots, Newton interjected, “Let’s not make this about me.”

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The conversation then turned to quarterbacks like Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, who faced similar situations. Newton shifted the focus to elite quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and even the recent sensation, Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes didn’t have elite talent around him, but he still took responsibility, saying, “I’ll do wrong things right” to make things work. That’s probably what Denver was expecting from Wilson. Newton elaborated, “But he [Wilson] knows. He didn’t play his best football in Denver and it cost him his job. I can say that in New England, I didn’t play mine and it cost me an opportunity.” While admitting he doesn’t know Wilson personally, Newton analyzed the situation based on his experiences and understanding of the league. “He knows he didn’t play his best football, and I think that’s what’s eating him the most,” he said. Newton isn’t sure if Wilson will get another shot at 35, but he expressed hope for a Wilson comeback. But why was Wilson let go by the Broncos? 

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Wilson became a costly mistake for the Broncos

Russell Wilson’s arrival in Denver in 2022 was supposed to be a game-changer for the Broncos. Super Bowl dreams became a nightmare as the team stumbled to a dismal 4-11 record with Wilson at the helm. Even a “better” 2023 season with 26 touchdowns wasn’t enough to save his job. The offense sputtered, scoring over 30 points only twice all season, and Denver finished with a mediocre 7-8 record. After two disappointing seasons and an overall record of 11-19, the Broncos have cut ties with Wilson.

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Not only did Denver give up significant assets to acquire Wilson from Seattle, but they also showered him with a five-year, $250 million extension before he even played a single snap. This costly mistake will continue to haunt the Broncos. They still owe Wilson a significant portion of his 2024 salary, and the dead cap hit from his release will cripple their ability to build a competitive roster for the next two seasons. The dream of a Super Bowl with Wilson quickly devolved into a financial and on-field disaster, leaving Denver with a massive rebuild project and a long playoff drought to overcome. What do you think will be Denver’s next big move? Share in the comments below.

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Written by:

M.R. Jenifer

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Jenifer Martin is a college football writer for EssentiallySports. Recently, her coverage has focused on the latest developments in college football, including the transfer portal phenomenon and its impact on team dynamics. Before joining ES, she was a part of Pinkvilla as a fitness and sportainment writer.
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Edited by:

Shubhankar Adhikari