Broncos’ Nathaniel Hackett dispels ‘gossip’ round Russell Wilson

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — With every passing loss for the Denver Broncos — and there have been seven previously eight video games — there may be one other spherical of tales from far and broad about quarterback Russell Wilson‘s disappointing season and the influence that has had on the relationships together with his teammates.

And whereas his coach and lots of of his teammates disputed the criticism Wednesday, they are saying they know it will preserve coming till there are extra wins.

“To me, it is all gossip,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett mentioned in response to the critiques leveled at Wilson, together with queries about whether or not he has misplaced the locker room. “Now we have a improbable locker room. Take a look at a man like Russ — I’ve by no means seen anyone work so arduous, by no means seen anyone attempt to embrace a crew like he has … Russ is superior, and we want simply to do higher as a crew and all that stuff is what it’s. I like Russ.”

“That is simply hilarious, for my part. That is humorous, as a result of I do not assume it is true,” added guard Dalton Risner. “I do know it isn’t true … I really feel like all yr he cannot catch a break and individuals are making up rumors about him — whether or not he isn’t a superb teammate or he is misplaced the locker room or no matter it’s. Numerous is so outlandish to me.”

The most recent spherical of noise comes within the wake of a brief sideline blowup between Wilson and defensive deal with Mike Purcell that occurred early within the fourth quarter of Denver’s loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Each Purcell and Wilson addressed the change — caught on digicam throughout the broadcast — after the sport. Purcell referred to it as “simply frustration,” whereas Wilson mentioned, “Mike and I are on the identical web page.” The 2 had a relaxed chat on the finish of Wednesday’s follow.

Wilson — and the five-year, $245 million contract extension he signed simply earlier than the season — has been the flashpoint for criticism of the crew’s staggering offense, nearly from the season-opening loss in Seattle. The whole lot from his journey schedule to his social calendar and a determined lack of touchdowns has been critiqued.

The Broncos are final within the league in scoring at 14.3 factors per recreation, final within the league within the crimson zone and thirtieth within the league on third down. Wilson has thrown simply eight landing passes in his 10 begins — he missed one recreation due to damage — and is on tempo for a career-low single-season whole.

His 20 landing passes in 2014, his third yr within the league, characterize his single-season low.

“I believe that, to start with, all people desires to win, all of us wish to win,” Wilson mentioned after Wednesday’s follow. “I’ve obtained nice relationships in that locker room, so whoever is making an attempt to tear it down, you possibly can’t.”

“I will say Russ is a tremendous chief,” mentioned security Justin Simmons. “He is a tremendous teammate. … Russ has been nothing however nice — clearly, it hasn’t been the season any of us needed.”

With a seventh consecutive playoff miss on the horizon — the crew’s longest playoff drought since 1970-1976 — and the enamel of the schedule nonetheless forward, Hackett mentioned wins will doubtless be the one factor that finally quiets issues down for all concerned.

“If you join this occupation … quarterback, sure coaches, sure gamers, if you happen to lose, you are going to get criticism,” Hackett mentioned. “The concept is you have to preserve your head down, preserve working.”