NFL Rumors: Broncos GM George Paton 'Viewed as Safe' amid Sean Payton Decision Buzz

The Denver Broncos have undeniably had a disappointing season. But general manager George Paton will likely be around for at least another season.

According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, "Paton is viewed as safe inside the organization, sources say. Based on his overall evaluation talents and a strong working relationship with Sean Payton since the head coach arrived last offseason, all indications are Paton should stay on."

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported on Paton's situation Saturday:

"Some around the league say there still will be a decision that must be made on the future of Paton, who before he took the Denver job was regarded as one of the league's top evaluators and commanded leaguewide respect."

"Payton and Paton have worked well together this season, and Payton is known to respect Paton and his abilities. But Payton has significant authority and influence over the shaping of the team's football operation."

Paton's most questionable decision in his three seasons as general manager has proven to be trading Noah Fant, Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, first- and second-round picks in 2022 and 2023 and a 2022 fifth-round pick for quarterback Russell Wilson and a 2022 fourth-rounder.

He compounded that ill-advised move by extending Wilson to a five-year, $242.5 million deal with $161 million guaranteed.

It appears that relationship will be coming to a close shortly after Wilson was benched for the final two games of the season and told reporters in late December that the Broncos basically gave him an ultimatum earlier in the season—push back the date where his $37 million salary guaranteed for injury for 2025 kicked in, or get benched the rest of the season.

"They came up to me during the bye week, beginning of the bye week—Monday or Tuesday—and told me that if I didn't change my contract, my injury guarantee, that I'd be benched for the rest of the year," he said. "We had nine games left. I was definitely disappointed about it."

The issue for the Broncos is that cutting Wilson will strap them with $85 million in dead cap space, a massive figure. But it's hard to see the sides reconciling.

The Broncos have turned their season around after a miserable 1-5 start, winning seven of their last 10 games. They've been eliminated from playoff contention, but Payton's first season has proven to be far more successful than Nathaniel Hackett's one miserable season in charge.

It sounds as though Paton will get at least another year to work with his high-profile coaching hire to further right the ship.