On a seismic day for the Broncos, the Centura Health Training Center locker room emptied out quickly.
As news rattled around the NFL that Denver coach Sean Payton benched Russell Wilson for backup Jarrett Stidham heading into the final two weeks of the season, many players avoided the media scrum.
Those who did speak complimented the work Stidham’s done and also expressed support for Wilson, a team captain and the face of the franchise since he was acquired for a haul of picks and players in March 2022.
“Russ is a very mentally strong guy,” wide receiver Jerry Jeudy told The Denver Post. “I know that as a competitor, of course it’s going to affect you losing your job. But knowing Russ, he’s going to keep doing his thing. Keep practicing the way he’s practicing, keep his routine going. That’s just the type of guy he is.”
Jeudy, the fourth-year wide receiver, has a locker situated directly across from Stidham and said they have a strong relationship.
“Jarrett’s my dog, man,” he said. “We always be jumping around, clowning with each other and stuff like that. He’s a great quarterback, great competitor and a very smart dude. I’m very excited to see what he does this weekend.”
What does he expect to see out of the Broncos new starter?
“He’s very smart, he’s great with anticipation and throws a great ball. As a quarterback, he’s been doing the little things to make sure he stays prepared and stays ready for a situation like this. That shows his character and how he goes out there and how he handles his business.”
Even still, benching Wilson, the 12th-year quarterback who has thrown 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions this year and made nine Pro Bowls in 10 years in Seattle, came as a shock when Payton informed the team in a meeting Wednesday morning.
“It sucks. It’s a weird day and it’s obviously something that we weren’t necessarily expecting,” said right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who has spoken highly of Wilson since signing as a free agent this spring. “But you’ve got to believe in what the coaching staff believes in and what Sean is doing and we’ve got to move forward.”
Payton said Wednesday he thought his team needed “a spark” offensively after a lull that’s included three losses in the past four games and an average of 291.9 yards per game.
“I mean, if that’s what coach feels like is true, then I guess it’s true,” Jeudy said.
Added tight end Adam Trautman, “We need something to spark our offense…I don’t think that’s a question. If this is what they think will do it, then this is what we are going to do.
“We are going to support both during this change.”
The Broncos have a less than 10% chance of making the playoffs and only two real paths: They either need to win their final two games and hope Kansas City loses to both Cincinnati and the Chargers or they need a combination of several games to go their way over the final two weeks.
Jeudy said the challenge is to finish strong regardless of what happens or who’s playing quarterback.
“That’s the main goal,” he said. “As a competitor, as a football player, even if you were eliminated out of the playoffs, you still want to finish the season out strong with these two wins just because that’s the competitive nature in us athletes.
“We just want to finish the season off strong and hopefully these two wins help us get back into the (playoff mix).”
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