Stephen A. Smith Blasts Broncos WR for Defense of Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson is thriving in his second season in Denver, posting on the best years of his career statistically so far under Sean Payton.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith blasted the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton defense of Denver’s much-maligned quarterback Russell Wilson.

During Friday’s episode of First Take, Smith unloaded on Sutton’s decision to post a viral "Russell Wilson apology form” to his Instagram story earlier this week.

“I got mad respect for him [Sutton] but shut the hell up with that nonsense,” said Smith. "Did you watch this team last year? Did you watch how Russell Wilson performed last year? If anything, Russell Wilson owes all of us an apology for putting forth the year that he put forth that put everything into question.”

In 2022, his first season in Denver, Wilson posted a disappointing 16-to-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 15 games.

.@stephenasmith reacts to Courtland Sutton posting an apology form for Russell Wilson 👀

"Shut the hell up with that nonsense." pic.twitter.com/jY1LAa6ZGu

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 17, 2023

According to Smith, no apology is owed simply because of the “garbage” Wilson, Sutton and the rest of the 5–12 Broncos put on the field in 2022.

“You embarrassed yourself. You embarrassed the city of Denver. You embarrassed the history of the Broncos organization,” chided Smith. “You brought it on yourself.”

Wilson has rebounded this season throwing for 18 touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games, leading to some NFL fans—and at least one Broncos player—demanding an apology from media who criticized the nine-time Pro Bowl signal-caller.