Sean Payton entering uncharted territory with Russell Wilson's pending release

Broncos head coach Sean Payton got his wish. Now, he'll have to do something he's never done before.

On Monday, the Broncos announced they intend to release quarterback Russell Wilson, putting Denver in the quarterback market. 

However, few serious long-term options are available in free agency for the Broncos, making drafting one Payton's best chance of building a winner. 

The only problem with that is during his 16-year head-coaching career, Payton has never successfully developed a quarterback.

While it's true former Saints quarterback Drew Brees had his best seasons under Payton's watch, he was by no means a reclamation project when New Orleans signed him as a free agent in 2006.

Brees was the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year with the Chargers in 2004 as he proved he could be a legitimate starter in the league.

Payton deserves some credit for Brees morphing from competent into an all-time great, but his track record when it comes to finding quarterbacks in the draft is lacking.

Throughout his tenure with the Saints, the organization drafted four quarterbacks (Sean Canfield, Garrett Grayson, Tommy Stevens and Ian Book), and only Book attempted a pass in the NFL.

Payton also professed that hyphenate offensive weapon Taysom Hill could be the future Saints quarterback, but was never able to mold him into an everyday starter.

Wilson's release could create more problems than answers.

The Broncos don't have a viable option at quarterback on their roster and are unlikely to be able to afford 2024's top free agents, Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield. 

Second-tier QBs, including Gardner Minshew and Jameis Winston, could be options, but neither will move the needle as far as Denver's postseason hopes are concerned.

The Broncos hold the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and would almost certainly have to move up to select one of the top-four quarterback prospects. 

After trading seven picks in 2022 and 2023 for Wilson and Payton, the front office could be rightfully wary of taking another big swing, especially when there's no guarantee that Payton will be able to get the most out of a rookie quarterback.

With Wilson's pending release, all eyes in Denver turn toward Payton. Based on his history and the team's realistic options at quarterback, the Broncos might not like what they see.