Why Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson is still among the NFL's elite signal-callers

Some have questioned if Denver's Russell Wilson is still one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. In Mike Sando's annual quarterbacks tiers story for The Athletic, Wilson dropped to Tier 2 after being in Tier 1 the previous season. ESPN’s annual quarterback council has a higher opinion of Wilson, ranking him elite in a number of categories.

ESPN evaluated 12 different categories, including arm strength and accuracy. One category Wilson shined in was decision-making, coming in fourth behind Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. 

This category is important because poor decision-making often leads to turnovers, which limit offensive production. Wilson had the league’s fourth-lowest interception percentage (1.5)  last season.

One way to avoid turnovers is by creating different arm angles to zip the ball through tight windows.  Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten said this is one of Wilson’s strengths. 

“It’s really remarkable to see what kind of arm angles he can come up with,” Outten said in a Thursday news conference. “It puts defenses in a bind, because if (they) give him a six-inch hole, he’s going to  throw that thing in there.”

The Broncos have struggled to score over the past three seasons, ranking in the bottom half of the league offensively. Eleven different quarterbacks have started for the Broncos since Pro Hall of Famer Peyton Manning retired in 2016. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson is the only quarterback in NFL history to have 30 or more passing touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.

The Broncos hope Wilson changes their luck--and snaps the team's six-year playoff drought.