DENVER (KDVR) — On the eve of the NFL combine, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is keeping the conversation going late at night.
Covering a wide range of topics with former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall on the I Am Athlete YouTube page, Wilson made it clear he didn’t want to remove his injury guarantee on his contract with the club.
“I didn't want to set a precedent for players with injury guarantees, there was no way I was going to do that,” Wilson said during the one hour and 23-minute interview. “I told them I wasn't going to do it, no shot.''
Head coach Sean Payton benched Wilson on Dec. 27 in favor of starting Jarrett Stidham. Payton said he wanted a “spark” with the offense.
Sitting with Marshall, Wilson explained that during the bye week, he was not sure of his status with the team after the Broncos and Wilson's representatives discussed his contract. As Wilson returned to team headquarters, Payton told him to “act like nothing happened, you're going to play this week” against the Buffalo Bills.
Wilson signed a five-year, $242.5 million deal after he joined the Broncos in 2022. There is wide speculation across the league that the Broncos want to move on from the quarterback.
"I've got more fire than ever, and especially over the past two years with what I've gone through," the 35-year-old quarterback told Marshall. “Whether it's in Denver or somewhere else. I hope it's in Denver. I hope I get to finish there. I committed there. I want to be there.”
Wilson did address the reports on his Cherry Hills mansion being for sale.
“It’s not for sale, it’s not on the market right now," Wilson said. "People think I’m out of there. Maybe I am, but no matter what I want to go back. I committed to be there. I want to win more Super Bowls there, but you also want to be somewhere that wants you.”
As for Wilson’s next football location, if not Denver, he wouldn’t bite when Marshall read the odds to his next team.
“Honestly, I haven't thought about it," Wilson said.
Wilson’s $39 million contract in 2024 is already set, and his 2025 deal ($37 million) will be guaranteed if he can pass a physical on the fifth day of the new league year in March.