9/23/23

Jay C. Brandriet

Russell Wilson has now started 18 games as the Denver Broncos quarterback.

The team has gone 4-14 in that stretch.

Things have hit bottom as his team gave up 70 points yesterday.

“Let’s ride” has become a rough ride.

Some feel like Russ is being exposed as overrated.

The media scrutiny is to be expected.

People trying to re write his career is the surprise.

Many of the network shows have asked “can Rusell Wilson play his way OUT of the Hall of Fame?”

The easiest way to answer that is by saying NO!

They don’t like how it’s going compared to your high expectations, so they pretend the past didn’t happen?

I haven’t seen earned credentials attempted to be taken away so casually, since people started pretending Belichick couldn’t coach.

Last week Rex Ryan said, “when Wilson was in Seattle, we thought he was a borderline Hall of Famer.”

Is that what we thought Rex?

Drew Bledsoe, Steve McNair, Boomer Esiason, and Carson Palmer were STAR passers who seem to be short of Hall of Fame status.

A few years ago, most of us had Russ ranked above these names.

Is this the same Russell Wilson that many of us doubted years ago?

The one who ended up having the nose for making timely/clutch plays?

The guy with that beautiful moon ball?

World champion?

NFC champion twice?

Same person!

Currently, Russell has produced 313 touchdown passes to only 99 interceptions.

He didn’t miss a start for a decade.

Wilson spent time as a top 5 NFL quarterback.

Fourth best passer rating of all time.

Has NINE Pro-Bowls on his resume.

Seattle had some special defenses, and Russ should have been given more “heat” for the Malcolm Butler pick.

He can be a bit of a nerd while pushing his brand.

Nobody’s arguing, but who cares?

I’m not saying what he does in Denver doesn’t matter.

Everything matters!

Denver will create a dividing line to his story.

Some will claim this chapter is where he should be judged even MORE than before.

This AFC journey will add to, subtract, and alter his legacy.

I get that.

It won’t change what he accomplished in Seattle.

Worst case if he imploded?

It may take several years for him to be inducted into Canton.

Could Wilson make some magic happen with Sean Payton in Denver?

There’s better than a Hail Mary’s chance.

IF that happens, we’d be talking first ballot entry.

When you’re the FIRST player to have 40,000 passing yards with 5,000 more rushing, it equals a gold jacket.

You can’t just erase Russell Wilson.

Jay C. Brandriet