The Las Vegas Raiders used a similar tactic last season with Derek Carr, benching the starter in favor of then-backup Stidham. Now in Denver, Stidham takes over after signing with the Mile High club this offseason.
Wilson has played better under Payton than in a disastrous first season in Denver in 2022, but the offense has struggled of late. The Week 15 loss in Detroit came with a sideline scolding of Wilson from Payton. The coach dismissed the spat, but the interaction underscored a tenuous future for the QB.
Denver dug themselves out of a 1-5 hole to start the season, using a five-game win streak to get into playoff contention. But losing three of their past four, including Sunday night’s loss to New England, cratered their chances.
In 15 starts this year, Wilson has completed 66.44 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards — fewest in 12 seasons — with 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Once championed as the piece to get Denver over their playoff drought, if it’s the end for Wilson with the Broncos, it’ll go down as a massive disappointment.
Payton will use the final two weeks to see what he has in Stidham, who threw for 584 yards with four TDs and three INTs in two starts last season with Vegas.
With two games remaining, the 7 -8 Broncos have an 8% chance to make the postseason, per Next Gen Stats. They’ll need Stidham to guide them to two wins over the Chargers and Raiders and get some help.
Benching Wilson to keep him healthy is a sign that Payton is ready to begin evaluations for the 2024 season as the coach continues to mold the roster to his liking.
