When Russell Wilson landed in Denver back in 2022, expectations were sky-high. Broncos fans were hoping the All-Pro quarterback would bring the same magic he delivered in Seattle, where he spent a decade carving out a Hall of Fame-worthy resume. But just two seasons later, the partnership came to an abrupt end, leaving more questions than answers.
Wilson’s time with the Broncos wasn’t just underwhelming-it was downright messy. In 30 starts, he led the team to an 11-19 record and never sniffed the playoffs. By the tail end of the 2023 season, his relationship with head coach Sean Payton had reportedly deteriorated, and it became clear that Denver was ready to move on. For a player once celebrated as a leader, the fallout raised eyebrows.
Let’s be great! Russel Wilson jokes with Pat McAfee about his work ethic
Off the field, Wilson’s personality often became a storyline of its own. Former Seahawks teammates, like Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman, haven’t been shy about criticizing the quarterback’s lack of locker room connection. Sherman, in particular, hasn’t held back, taking several jabs at Wilson during TV appearances. Those issues seemed to follow Wilson to Denver, culminating in viral moments like his mid-flight workout on the way to London-a move that reportedly annoyed teammates and fueled the internet’s never-ending fascination with his quirks.
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Wilson didn’t shy away from addressing these criticisms during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, calling the plane workout story “overblown” and doubling down on his work ethic. “Whenever you’re trying to be great at anything, there’s a process,” Wilson said. “I had to do everything I could possibly do to be great.” It’s a philosophy he’s carried since being drafted as a 5’10” quarterback in the third round-someone who was never supposed to make it this far.
But the narrative shifted in 2024, when Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In just one season, he led the team to the playoffs, reigniting some of the belief that he could still deliver under the right circumstances. Even so, speculation is swirling about whether Pittsburgh will stick with him or hand the offense over to someone like Justin Fields.
Wherever he ends up in 2025, Wilson remains unphased. As ESPN’s analysts have pointed out, his relentless mindset has always been his calling card. Whether he’s leading a new team or fighting for his spot, Wilson’s story is far from over. Love him or hate him, No. 3 isn’t going quietly.
