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The Denver Broncos, largely due to the performances of Russell Wilson, had a very poor 2022 season on offense. They averaged 16.9 points - the worst mark in the NFL. That was with a very good wide receiver duo in Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.
How would Wilson have fared without Sutton, a talented young wide receiver? The NFL world may find out this season as the Broncos are reportedly quietly shopping the wideout.
Trades aren't imminent, but they're testing the market and seeing what they might be able to get.
Matthew Berry said via NBC Sports:
"As long as we are talking Denver, I'm told the Broncos are quietly shopping Courtland Sutton. Not actively pushing him, but definitely trying to see if there's a trade market for him and if they get a decent offer, would move him."
The Broncos offense was abysmal, but they did have two good receivers. Even with Sean Payton in town, it's hard to imagine the offense being much better if they lose Sutton.
Sean Payton already tired of Russell Wilson
Sean Payton may be able to turn the Broncos around, but he's reportedly already weary of Russell Wilson. According to Berry, one source said:
“I don't think [Sean] Payton likes Russ. He's got one year to prove himself or Payton will move on.”
The source also mentioned that Wilson keeps bothering Drew Brees for help and that Payton plays it off as funny, that Payton doesn't enjoy it at all.
Berry also mentioned:
"More than one person mentioned to me that Russell Wilson is basically on a one-year audition. There's no way Denver can cut him this year, but next year, while the dead cap hit would certainly be bad, it could be spread out over two years and wouldn't be franchise crippling."
When the Broncos first traded for Wilson, they felt like Super Bowl contenders. That now seems like an impossibility, given how the 2022 season went.
All it takes is a few bad decisions on the part of the front office to completely derail a franchise, and that's potentially what has happened here.
