March 6, 2024 By: Staff

Denver Broncos legend Karl Mecklenburg blasts Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson has officially played his last down of football as a member of the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos announced they would release Wilson when the new league year begins and take on a league record $85 million dead salary cap hit.

We’ve notified QB Russell Wilson that he will be released after the league year begins March 13.

A statement from GM George Paton and HC Sean Payton: pic.twitter.com/EJO5mNMjew

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 4, 2024

Wilson responded with class and made it clear he plans to continue his NFL career with a new franchise in 2024.

Thank You Broncos Country 🙏🏾 – #3 pic.twitter.com/3IoVheYVyI

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 4, 2024

While a lot has been said, both nationally and locally, since Wilson’s release, one of the more shocking, and surprisingly blunt, responses came from Broncos legend and Ring of Famer Karl Mecklenburg.

To quote Mecklenburg’s message posted to his social media accounts:

“Russell Wilson isn’t a leader. The foolishness that went on in his first year at Denver with a private coach, his own office at the facility, and family at training camp when other players didn’t have those privileges, proved his self centeredness.”
Karl Mecklenburg on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Russell Wilson isn’t a leader. The foolishness that went on in his first year at Denver with a private coach, his own office at the facility, and family at training camp when other players didn’t have those privileges, proved his self centeredness. pic.twitter.com/AVKfiWjdF6

— Karl Mecklenburg CSP, NFL (@KarlMecklenburg) March 5, 2024

While Wilson has had plenty of national media members coming to his defense, local analysts, and now former players with deep ties to the franchise, are speaking out in favor of the Broncos.

I love how a lot of the National media makes Russ out to be the guy that was done wrong. It’s comical. Russ got over 100 million and got yelled at twice on national TV by his head coach. He goes on a PR campaign after being benched and the national media just eats it up 🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/k1vsVwplxM

— Brandon Stokley (@bstokley14) March 5, 2024

This will likely remain a story until Wilson lands with his next team, and it remains to be seen how the Broncos will operate with $85 million in dead money sitting on their books.