Could Broncos HC Sean Payton bench Russell Wilson in favor of Jarrett Stidham after preseason performance?

The regular season hasn't even started yet, but one reporter believes the marriage between Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Russell Wilson is already on shaky ground.

"Maybe Wilson plays great and he and Payton live happily ever after. But the Denver Broncos starting offense didn't look great in the preseason," wrote Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports. "Jarrett Stidham, Wilson's backup, was 17-of-28 for 236 yards and a touchdown in Denver's preseason finale. He looked good, and his two-year, $10 million contract seemed like the Broncos were preparing for change."

Stidham had a better preseason than Wilson. The 27-year-old completed 34-of-60 (56.7 percent) passes for 416 yards and a TD, while Wilson completed 10-of-19 attempts (52.6 percent) for 117 yards and a TD. Yet Wilson played less, so take the numbers with a grain of salt.

Last season, the 34-year-old had the worst year of his career, finishing with a 4-11 starting record and a career-low 84.4 passer rating. If the former Pro Bowler struggles again, Stidham could become a more intriguing option for Payton.

However, the HC benching Wilson immediately remains unlikely. Entering his fourth season, Stidham only has two regular-season starts, and the Broncos made a substantial financial commitment to Wilson when they signed him to a five-year extension worth up to $245M in 2022. This makes it more challenging to move on since his 2023 cap number is $22M, via Over the Cap.  

Plus, Payton indicated he saw flashes of the old Wilson throughout the offseason.

"He's moving really well," Payton said, per Peter King of NBC Sports. "One of the things he's always done really well is deliver the ball off-schedule. A play breaks down, he can go get 18 yards, or he can flush the pocket. He's exceptional in that area."

While Payton benching Wilson early in the season isn't impossible, it's unlikely. Denver hired the HC to salvage the QB, and he has yet to signal that he's ready to make a major change.