Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning joked about Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson during the ManningCast on Monday Night Football. Then he felt compelled to clarify his comment.
Manning joked that the Denver Broncos should have paid punter Corliss Waitman $235 million instead of Wilson. However, he told FrontOfficeSports.com’s Michael McCarthy that he wasn’t attacking Wilson.
“I don’t think we’re trying to be critical,” Manning said to ProFootballTalk. “I think we always try to support the guys that are in the game. I think sometimes, ‘Hey, it’s live TV.’ I never try to take a real shot at somebody. I think that was obviously a very outrageous joke — because a punter had 10 punts. Nothing against Russell. He’s going to do great.”
The 41-year-old pundit said the joke on Monday night during the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants game broadcast. His comment came after Waitman punted 10 total times for 476 yards in an 11-10 win against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, with Wilson struggling as he only threw for 184 scoreless yards.
The four-time Pro Bowler is trying his best to be entertaining in the ManningCast but, at the same time, didn’t want to burn bridges. The television program has been broadcast for two years with him and his brother, Peyton Manning.
Manning understood that Wilson as the new quarterback on a new team is not an easy task and needs some time to work.
“It’s hard going into a new offense, a new system. It takes some time. It’s not going to be perfect after three weeks. I’ve been in that situation,” Manning said. “It can take five or six weeks before you get comfortable with the coaches. It’s not just the quarterback. It’s all the players coming together, learning a new offense and getting together and getting on the same page.”
"They should have paid that punter $235 million instead of Russell…" – Eli 😲😂 #ManningCast pic.twitter.com/iPMf1W2C1M
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 27, 2022
Wilson responds to Manning
Wilson responded to the joke during the Wednesday press conference and the Broncos quarterback cited his head-to-head record against the two-time Super Bowl champion.
“Come on, Chad Powers? I’m 3–0 against Chad Powers,” Wilson said. “It’s part of the game, those guys are having fun. I have a lot of respect for Peyton and Eli. I’ve always looked up to those guys, so I’m not stressed about it.”
When Wilson spoke about Chad Powers, he referred to Manning’s alter ego when he disguised himself as a 26-year-old who joined the Penn State Nittany Lions football tryout. Wilson also said that he is undefeated against Manning in his career, defeating Manning and the Giants in 2013, 2014 and 2017.
Wilson was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks during the offseason and signed a five-year, $245 million contract extension with the Broncos. Three games into the 2022 NFL season, productivity has not necessarily matched his pay.
In the 2022 NFL season, Wilson recorded 59.4 percent completions. He threw two touchdowns, 63 of 106 passes for 743 yards and one interception in his first three games for Denver.
Wilson and the Broncos will play against their AFC West rival, the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.
Breaking: Broncos and Russell Wilson just reached agreement on a five-year, $245 million contract extension that includes $165 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN.
Deal now ties Wilson to Denver for seven total years and $296 million. Another massive QB deal in the books. pic.twitter.com/uk6yelOL3j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2022