The Denver Broncos fell deeper out of the playoff race in the AFC thanks to their Christmas Day upset loss to the New England Patriots. And it now looks like they are preparing for their future, making a somewhat surprising decision on star quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson’s tenure in Denver has not gone to plan whatsoever. The former Super Bowl champion famously struggled in his first year with the team last season, only winning four games as the team’s starter. And things have only been marginally better this year.
There is now a lot that needs to go the Broncos’ way at the end of the season for them to potentially sneak into the postseason. And with that in mind, the team has opted to bench Russell Wilson in a move that will ensure some financial flexibility in the future.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jarrett Stidham will be the Broncos starter for their final two games of the regular season.
Sources: The #Broncos are, in fact, benching Russell Wilson for the final two games, preserving their financial flexibility for the offseason.
Jarrett Stidham starts. pic.twitter.com/8sh7ORek5Q
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
The reason for this decision is reportedly strictly a financial one. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilson would be owed an additional $37 million that would be guaranteed if he weren’t able to pass a physical by March. Sitting him for the rest of the season will ensure that he is healthy and will not receive that fully guaranteed money.
Russell Wilson already has $39 million guaranteed for 2024, but he has an additional $37M that would become guaranteed if he can’t pass a physical by early March.
Denver’s move to sit him assures that money won’t trigger. And Denver does this at a time when Wilson is the NFL’s…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2023
This of course puts some doubt into Wilson’s future in Denver. This could clearly be an indication that the team is trying to move on from Wilson, and his massive contract in the upcoming offseason.
However, if the team is unable to find a trade for Wilson and plans on releasing him, they would need to eat a ton of dead cap space in order to do so.
A Pre March 17th release for Russell Wilson would mean $85M of dead cap ($39M cash) in 2024.
Designating him a Post June 1st release means a $35.4M hit in 2024 ($39M cash), & a $49.6M dead cap hit for 2025.
Either way – this would be an unprecedented release.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) December 27, 2023
It seems like the most advantageous course of action for the Broncos if they are ready to move on from Wilson is to attempt to trade him to a quarterback-needy team in the offseason.
Wilson’s individual performance this season actually hasn’t been all that bad. The veteran quarterback ranks inside the top ten in the league in several important passing statistics, including touchdown passes and passer rating.
It seems like the Broncos are more done with Wilson’s contract than his actual play on the field for the team. But regardless, it sure seems like we may be quickly approaching the end of the Russell Wilson era in Denver.
