Mike McGlinchey: Payton/Russ Incident 'Blown Out of Proportion'

Wilson, McGlinchey, and certainly Payton would like to get past that ugly moment captured on national television and focus on Bill Belichick's Patriots coming to Empower Field. But some storylines jump the shark and become sensationalized, which, unfortunately, can become a distraction to a team. 

"I think the biggest thing is, we're focused on beating New England and playing a good game against them," Wilson said. "Obviously, this game matters, and that's really where our head is." 

The key to a team not allowing such distractions to take it off course is leadership. And in Payton and Wilson, the Broncos are in no shortage of that. Throw in a veteran right tackle like McGlinchey, who's played in countless high-stakes games as a pro, and the collective response from Denver's leaders implies that it's a.) a non-issue internally, and b.) that the Patriots — not a viral human interest story — have the Broncos' full attention.

Although this is the first year that McGlinchey has worn the same colors as Wilson, the two go way back as long-time foes in the NFC West. Wilson's Seattle Seahawks and McGlinchey's San Francisco 49ers traded blows for years in pursuit of divisional supremacy, and combined with his experience of working with him this season, that history has given the right tackle all confidence in his quarterback and how he'll respond, not only to this won't-go-away storyline but also to last week's potentially devastating loss. 

"He'll respond the way he always has, which is with success and grit and toughness," McGlinchey said of Wilson. "I think, being around Russell, he's one of the toughest people I've ever been around, especially in this sport. And, obviously, nobody takes more s*** than he does. The way that he constantly continues to rise above it and prepare the way that he always has prepared, and lead our football team, and has helped put us in position for a playoff run... which, I think two-and-a-half months ago, I think you guys all would have laughed at us. So here we are with three games to go. Russell is going to do what he always has done best and compete his ass off and put us in position to win games." 

Indeed, much like one of his predecessors in Denver who also wore the No. 3, Wilson is the subject of an outsized, disproportional amount of criticism and, at times, hate. Some of that has to do with Wilson's own words, behavior, and performance from last year, but none of that is commensurate with the level of antipathy and negative scrutiny he receives. McGlinchey recognizes that, and among his Broncos teammates, he's certainly not alone in that observation. 

At a certain point, it's fair to question why the media/fan derangement Wilson has been plagued by in Denver is so similar to that of Drew Lock, who now collects his checks from the Seahawks. Methinks it has something to do with the notoriety of being a Broncos quarterback and how that translates for a player when things aren't going well. 

There's the pressure and scrutiny that comes with playing what's known as 'the most important position in sports.' And then there's being a quarterback of the Denver Broncos.

Earlier this season, despite Payton's influence being an obvious net positive on Wilson's play, the quarterback was once again lampooned by the national media as the Broncos limped out to a 1-5 start. All those boo-birds and haters receded into the background like the famous Homer Simpson meme amid the Broncos' five-game winning streak. 

Last week's loss in Detroit, and the high-profile sideline incident, reveal how quickly the media tropes can turn and how certain talking heads and columnists — both locally and nationally — relish Wilson's reversals in fortune. And the same goes for Payton, though to a lesser degree, mostly because of his gruff and direct style at the podium, and how his treatment of the press is perceived by the media. It's a shame. 

The best way to silence the negativity is for Payton and Wilson to get back on the horse and win a football game. Last week's loss was unfortunate in that it robbed the Broncos of control of their playoff destiny, but sitting at 7-7, if they win out and finish 10-7, the team believes it has a good chance to still qualify for the NFL tournament. 

If the Broncos beat the Patriots, the media knives will be sheathed for a time. But if we've learned anything since Wilson was acquired via trade last year, it's that nobody is quicker on the draw than the anti-Russ media types.