Top 10 most hated NFL players in 2023: Russell Wilson tops the list
No. 2: Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
53. Scouting Report. Deshaun Watson. . Browns. 2. player. Pick Analysis
Although some of this list is a bit tongue-in-cheek, I think it’s safe to say that the majority of NFL fans, perhaps even many Cleveland Browns fans, really don’t like — or hate — Deshaun Watson. Watson’s off-field issues over the last handful of years have turned around a career in which he started off as one of the league’s most widely embraced superstars for the worse. It’s been horrendous to witness and to have to cover.
To make matters worse, Watson received the largest fully-guaranteed contract in 2022 from the Cleveland Browns, $230 million in total money. The contract was structured in such a way that Watson would lose as little money as possible while he served an expected suspension from the NFL. Everything that has transpired with Watson for the last three years has made the majority of NFL fans hate him more and more.
No. 1: Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson. 1. 45. Broncos. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis.
Although it’s ridiculous that anyone would possibly be above Deshaun Watson on the NFL’s most hated players list for 2023, it’s pretty clear that no one is as hated among NFL fans and media as Russell Wilson.
Which is ridiculous.
Russell Wilson is hated for being cringeworthy or “corny” in many of the things that he does. He is hated by many Seattle Seahawks fans (unjustly) due to his former teammates turning them against him, or the fact that he deserted the team, or the fact that he seemingly had a falling out with Pete Carroll.
There were a large number of NFL fans, media, players, and former players who reveled in Russell Wilson’s struggles with the Denver Broncos in 2022. Many were seemingly enjoying each of his failures, getting satisfaction from the fact that Wilson’s play declined in 2022. It was such an odd, sad sight to behold.
Russ brings plenty upon himself from the “Let’s Ride” slogans to his borderline being a walking cliche at times. But this is one of the most successful QBs in NFL history and he should be much more revered than hated. And yet, he is not.