The Denver Broncos have benched quarterback Russell Wilson for the remainder of the season, and Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Geno Smith is not happy about it.

Smith, a former teammate of Wilson’s, took to X to post “FREE 3” (a reference to Wilson’s jersey number) following the news that Wilson would be supplanted by Jarrett Stidham for the final two games of 2023.

Of course, Smith spent three seasons as Wilson’s backup in Seattle before the Seahawks traded Wilson to the Broncos in March 2022.

Smith stepped in as the starter that ensuing campaign and had a breakout year, throwing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also led the league in completion percentage (69.8 percent) and posted a passer rating of 100.9 en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance.

Wilson was expected to transform Denver’s franchise when he was acquired two offseasons ago, but he has done anything but the sort.

His first season in the Mile High City was an unmitigated disaster, as he totaled 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 picks while completing 60.5 percent of his throws and registering a passer rating of 84.4 in what was, by far, the worst year of his NFL career.

Wilson, who played his collegiate football at the University of Wisconsin and North Carolina State, was originally selected by Seattle in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

He went on to spend a decade in the Pacific Northwest, making nine trips to the Pro Bowl while leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship and a pair of Super Bowl appearances. He led the league in passer rating in 2015 (110.1) and also paced the NFL in passing touchdowns in 2017 (34).

The thing is, Wilson has hardly been bad in 2023.

Through 15 games, the 35-year-old has thrown for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 66.4 percent of his passes and recording a passer rating of 98.

However, Russell Wilson’s souring relationship with first-year head coach Sean Payton and the Broncos’ lack of team success overall has led to his benching.

Denver is 7-8 and will take on the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday. Meanwhile, Geno Smith and the Seahawks are 8-7 and will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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