In a shocking turn of events, the Denver Broncos have threatened to bench their starting quarterback, Russell Wilson, over a contract dispute. Reports suggest that if Wilson didn't adjust an injury guarantee in his contract, the Broncos would remove him from the starting lineup. The NFL Players Association has come to Wilson's defense, accusing the Broncos of violating the NFL's collective bargaining agreement.

According to a letter issued by the NFLPA on November 4th, both the Broncos and the league office were informed of Wilson's claims. The letter, obtained and republished by the Washington Post, reiterated that the team brass had specifically asked Wilson to renegotiate his contract and relinquish certain salary guarantees. Failure to comply would result in his removal as the starting quarterback. The NFLPA argued that such actions by the Broncos would be a violation of the collective bargaining agreement, Wilson's contract, and New York law.

The letter also warned that the NFLPA anticipated the Broncos would attempt to justify these violations under the guise of "coaching decisions." As a result, arbitration and/or litigation could be pursued against the Broncos by Wilson and his representatives.

Broncos coach, Sean Payton, has tried to downplay the contract dispute by stating that Wilson's benching was primarily a football-related decision. Payton emphasized the need for an offensive "spark" following a 1-3 stretch in December and the decision to bring in backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham. However, Wilson has asserted that the threat of being demoted first arose during the team's bye week in November.

Speculation has arisen that this contract dispute may lead to a breakup between Wilson and the Broncos in the upcoming offseason. The team could outright release Wilson to avoid an additional commitment of $37 million to the quarterback beyond 2023.

This ongoing saga highlights the contentious relationship between Wilson and the Broncos organization, as well as the power struggle between players and management when it comes to contract negotiations. As the situation unfolds, the NFL Players Association will be closely monitoring any further actions taken by the Broncos, ensuring that the rights of their players are protected in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.