At the start of the last offseason, the Denver Broncos completed one of the biggest signed est trades in league history for a veteran quarterback, sending the Seattle Seahawks two first-round picks, two second-round picks, one quarterback, one wing close, and a defensive tackle for the rights of Russell Wilson.
They then spent the entire summer talking about how the leadership of Wilson, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and nine-time Pro Bowler, would take them to the next level, instilling in the tradition of previous franchise quarterbacks like John Elway and Peyton Manning.
Earlier this month, the Broncos gave Wilson a five-year, $242,588,236 contract extension, firmly establishing him among the top five paid in the NFL on everything from average annual salary to guaranteed money.
So, after all that preamble, were the Broncos ready to be guided by Wilson to victory at the same Lumen Field where the quarterback conjured up so many wins in front of the Seahawks?
In one of the decisions that will be most questioned throughout the regular season that is just beginning, the Broncos' rookie head coach, Nathaniel Hackett, decided to take the ball out of Wilson's hands with the game in the balance, down by a point and time to spare, to bet instead on a 64-yard field goal attempt that would have tied for the second-longest ever made in NFL history.
After all, that was paid for, and all that was paid to Russell Wilson, the Broncos had no confidence in the future Hall of Famer.
AP Photo With 1:11 to play and three times to ask at their disposal, and facing a fourth down and 5 to go, the Broncos brushed aside their future Hall of Famer, complete with his new contract from almost a quarter of a billion dollars, to make way for his special teams and a kicker in Brandon McManus. As a pro, he is now one of eight field goal attempts from 60 yards or more.
They called it there. I need to make the kick.
Brandon McManus September 13, 2022, The result was a missed field goal that sealed Seattle's 17-16 win on the first "Monday Night Football" year.
McManus accepted responsibility for the miss from a point on the field where he felt compelled to convert; we can't blame Hackett for the decision to try to win the hard way in that given situation.
Remember that famous phrase "Let Russ cook?", which the quarterback asked for so much during his last years with the Seahawks? They didn't let him cook on his return to the city either.
Of course, the Broncos had no guarantee they'd get the win if they kept Wilson and the offense on the field. And, of course, the Broncos made all kinds of mistakes during the game, including two lost fumbles from the opponent's 1-yard line.
Editorial Selections Seahawks, and Nathaniel Hackett, embitter Russell Wilson's return to Seattle 2h Seattle receives Russell Wilson with boos on his return, now with Broncos 6h ESPN Despite the defeat at MNF, Broncos fans enjoyed a party in Mexico 3h Itzel Bandín 2 Related If you don't think your quarterback can get you 5 yards in that situation, why pay Seattle that much for him, and why give him such an onerous extension?
With Hackett's decision, Denver blew its best chance of winning and Wilson's best chance of shutting down some of the boos he consistently received throughout the night in the same place where he was applauded so many times.
Also, the Broncos made it clear that in the competitive AFC West – which looks like the NFL this year they are the ones who go into battle with the greatest weakness in the head coaching position in the division.
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