Russell Wilson and Ciara on Feb. 2, 2023.Photo:Jesse Grant/Getty Images
Jesse Grant/Getty Images
After the NFL team lost a Christmas Eve game to the New England Patriots, head coach Sean Paytontold reporters Wednesdaythat Wilson, 35, will not play in the Broncos' two remaining regular season games. The team remains in contention to make the playoffs, thoughNFL.com’s odds currently give the 7-8 team just a 7% chance of reaching the postseason.
“God’s got me,” Wilson — who has been Denver’s starting quarterback since the team acquired him in 2022 —wrote on X(formerly known as Twitter) Wednesday night, seemingly in response to his benching. “Looking forward to what’s next.”
Ciara, whom Wilson has beenmarriedto since 2016, “liked” Wilson’s post, indicating a show of support for her husband.
Russell Wilson on Dec. 24, 2023.Justin Edmonds/Getty
Justin Edmonds/Getty
As Wilson’s"likes" on his X profileshow, he has been reacting to various social media posts from fans, analysts and former players showing him support after the team benched him. “Mad respect for how you have handled this entire situation,” former NFL quarterbackRobert Griffin IIIwrote to Wilson Wednesday inone X postthat Wilson “liked.”
Griffin’s post continued, “When you were disrespected, you still showed respect. When you were threatened, you led your team to wins. When you were torn down, you kept building up your guys and never wavered. God’s got your back.”
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Russell Wilson on Dec. 24, 2023.Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty
Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty
“Most of you know we’ve made a change at quarterback and I understand all the speculation and everything that surrounds a move like that, and I can tell you… look, we’re desperately trying to win,” Paytontold reportersWednesday when he announced the quarterback change.
He added, “Sure, in our game today there are economics and all those other things, but the number one push behind this — and it’s a decision I’m making — is to get a spark offensively.”
Jarrett Stidham will start for the Broncos on Sunday when they play the Los Angeles Charges. Wilson, meanwhile, will be available as a backup, Payton announced.
The Broncos have won 11 games and lost 19 with Wilson as their starting quarterback over the last two seasons. Prior to joining Denver, Wilson played the first 10 seasons of his career for the Seattle Seahawks and won the 2014 Super Bowl with that team.
Wilson and Ciara share daughter Sienna Princess, 6, son Win Harrison, 3, and daughterAmora Princess, who the family welcomed this month. Ciara also shares Future Zahir, 9, with her ex-boyfriend, the rapperFuture.
source: people.com
