Sean Payton on Benching Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham: Broncos 'Need a Spark'

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton told reporters that his team "needs a spark" when explaining the choice to bench starting quarterback Russell Wilson for backup Jarrett Stidham.

The Broncos have endured an up-and-down season that saw the team start 1-5 before going on a five-game winning streak. The 7-8 team has largely sputtered ever since, though, losing three of four games, including a 26-23 result to the 4-11 New England Patriots on Christmas Eve.

The Broncos have undoubtedly struggled, but there are also large financial and long-term aspects to the situation.

"The quarterback change helps increase the Broncos' financial flexibility this upcoming offseason, as Wilson will make an additional $37 million in guaranteed money if he can't pass a physical by early March," ESPN's Jeff Legwold explained.

"An injury to Wilson in either of Denver's last two games of the season could trigger that guarantee."

Ultimately, the Broncos' deal for Wilson during the 2022 offseason looks like a complete disaster given what the team traded to the Seattle Seahawks.

It appears all but certain that Wilson has played his last snap with the Broncos, who will now see what Stidham can do for them in games versus the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders to close the season.

The 27-year-old out of Baylor and Auburn has been in the NFL since the New England Patriots selected him with a fourth-round choice in the 2019 draft. He landed with the Las Vegas Raiders via trade in the 2022 offseason and made two starts for them after the Silver and Black benched Derek Carr.

In those games, Stidham completed 45-of-70 passes for four touchdowns, three interceptions and 584 yards.