Broncos QB Russell Wilson did not think field-goal attempt was the wrong decision

The Seattle Seahawks were the 17-16 winners in Monday night's "Russell Wilson Bowl" thanks in part to a head-scratching decision from first-year Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett to try a 64-yard field with 20 seconds to play in regulation. 

It was such a bizarre decision because A) there was still plenty of time left on the clock, B) Denver spent a fortune in terms of draft picks and money to acquire Wilson from the Seahawks to be a game-changing quarterback, and C) Hackett did not put the ball in his hands to make one more play on fourth-and-five to try and give his kicker at least a manageable chance of a field goal. 

In the end, Brandon McManus missed his game-winning attempt, which would have been the second-longest field goal in NFL history had he made it, and the Broncos lost by a point and Hackett was almost universally criticized for the decision.

One person that did not criticize him, at least not publicly, was Wilson. 

According to Wilson post-game, McManus told the Broncos he could make it from the 46-yard line on the left hash, which is roughly where Denver advanced the football to on its last drive.

"We got it there," said Wilson. "Unfortunately it didn’t go in. I think he has the leg for it for sure. Just went a little left I believe. I believe in Coach Hackett. I believe in what we’re doing. I believe in everything, and any time you can try to find a way to make a play on fourth and five, that’s great too. Also, I don’t think it was the wrong decision. I think he can make it. Hindsight he didn’t make it, but if we were in that situation again I wouldn’t doubt whatever he decided.”

McManus is a really good kicker, but 64 yards is a huge ask in that situation. Even the best kickers are going to be around 50/50 on kicks over 50 yards (and McManus is exactly that), and when you start getting into the 60-plus yard range you are asking a lot. McManus' career long is 61 yards which he made during the 2021 season.

It is impossible to know what Wilson thinks of the decision to take the football out of his hands, but at least publicly he has his coach's back.