Russell Wilson is not faring well on the “Manning-cast” this season.
The Broncos and their new star quarterback were once again the source of jokes on Peyton and Eli Manning’s show, though this time, the team wasn’t even playing.
During the sluggish first half of the Giants-Cowboys game, punting was a frequent topic of conversation with ESPN analyst and former Colts punter, Pat McAfee, on as a guest. That naturally brought the trio to discuss the Broncos’ ugly 11-10 victory over the 49ers that graced football fans’ televisions in primetime the night before.
“They should have paid that punter $235 million instead of Russell,” Eli said, causing McAfee to crack up.
Broncos punter Corliss Waitman punted 10 times for 476 yards in the Denver win. Wilson, whose Broncos have scored 43 points in three games this season, finished the game 20-for-33 with 184 yards.
Eli, who was a ball of frustration during some of the more incompetent Giants moments on Monday night, was actually off by $10 million. Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million extension with the Broncos this offseason after the team acquired him from the Seahawks in a blockbuster trade.
Waitman is in his third year in the league after spending the first two seasons with the Steelers. According to Spotrac, he is making $825,000 on a one-year deal this season.
The Broncos were the source of frustration for the Manning brothers in their Monday night Week 1 loss to the Seahawks. Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett made the mystifying decision to attempt a 64-yard field goal instead of letting Wilson and the offense go for it on fourth-and-5 in the final minute of the game.
As time ticked off the clock, Peyton furiously signaled for a timeout that was not taken until the final seconds.
The Broncos have won two straight since that loss to the Seahawks, but the sloppy nature of those victories has continued to raise questions about Wilson and the team.
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