Broncos' Russell Wilson on 'one-year audition' with Sean Payton?

It appears the relationship between Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton may not be a long-term marriage, after all. 

NFL insider Matthew Berry of NBC Sports Edge has reported that "more than one person mentioned" to him during this year's NFL combine that Wilson "is basically on a one-year audition" working under Payton. 

After Wilson struggled throughout his first season with Denver, he reportedly recruited Payton to accept the club's head-coaching job. However, Terry Bradshaw, Payton's former colleague with Fox, raised eyebrows when he suggested ahead of Super Bowl LVII that Payton essentially settled for having Wilson as his quarterback for at least 2023 due to the veteran's contract. 

Wilson and the Broncos agreed to a five-year extension reportedly worth $245 million with $165 million guaranteed ahead of the 2022 campaign. 

"There's no way Denver can cut him this year, but next year, while the dead cap hit would certainly be bad, it could be spread out over two years and wouldn't be franchise crippling," Berry continued about Wilson. "Said one source: 'I don't think Payton likes Russ. He's got one year to prove himself or Payton will move on.'" 

Interestingly, Berry added that Wilson has been "bothering" future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, who famously played for Payton with the New Orleans Saints. 

"Payton tries to play it off for a laugh, but my source doesn't think Payton actually thinks it's funny," Berry said. 

As Charean Williams explained for Pro Football Talk on Feb. 28, Payton indicated at his introductory news conference that Wilson will no longer have his own office at the Broncos' facility and that the signal-caller's staff won't receive special access moving forward. During the combine, Payton noted nobody would've cared about such perks had the Broncos won more than they lost last season. 

Per ESPN stats, Wilson ended the 2022 regular season ranked 27th among qualified quarterbacks with a 36.7 adjusted QBR and 31st with a 60.5% completion percentage. In 15 games, the one-time Super Bowl champion threw 16 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. 

If Wilson posts similar numbers next season, Payton understandably could want to move in a different direction after a single year of working together.