After a brutal loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday that likely takes the Denver Broncos out of playoff contention, it’s looking more and more like the team could be set to part ways with quarterback Russell Wilson during the offseason. But regardless of what the team decides to do, they’re facing a pretty horrible situation with regard to Wilson.
As Eric Goodman of Milehighsports.com points out, even if the team does decide to part ways with Russell Wilson this offseason, they would still face a salary cap hit of $85 million.
“Russell Wilson’s dead cap hit is 85 million if he is not on the team next season… So if the #Broncos decide to bring in a young quarterback and get rid of Russ, the following season, the dead cap is 86 million. Either way, Denver is in a bad spot,” Goodman explained in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Russell Wilson’s dead cap hit is 85 million if he is not on the team next season…
So if the #Broncos decide to bring in a young quarterback and get rid of Russ, the following season, the dead cap is 86 million.
Either way, Denver is in a bad spot.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) December 26, 2023
It’s clearly a pretty horrible situation for the Broncos to be in, and the NFL world has a lot to say about it on social media.
If we eat the entire 85 in one year, we gotta trade guys like Bolles, Simmons, Jeudy. And cut guys like Tim Patrick.
Full rebuild. 3-5 years. Draft a QB. Sign a Minshew. Then hope and pray. https://t.co/UaXbGRuvie
— Stephen S. Dwyer (@SDwyerEsq) December 26, 2023
Eat mistakes now so they don’t become larger issues in the future.
Unfortunately George Paton will also be gone and I can’t see how Justin Simmons is able to stay on.
A lot of casualties to these decisions but it’s better to get it done now and start with Sean’s vision. https://t.co/hlombPbJmM
— Big Papa Smurf 🍁 (@ajzscheile) December 26, 2023
https://t.co/yNTp9mLzwa pic.twitter.com/BLUlWatGcw
— Doc Holliday (@JamarToombs) December 26, 2023
Teams always find a way to make it work. Whether it’s restructuring others into bonuses or extending, teams who wish to, find a way to make the cap work for them. For all I know, 🧢 ain’t real.
— Jackson Stearns (Blazin Bronco) (@TheBlazinBronco) December 26, 2023
Russ has his limitations but I don’t feel moving on from him Is what is best for this franchise. The rest of the roster needs more help than just a QB. DL,WR,TE and LB are all holes that need to be addressed. Payton needs to stop handcuffing Russ and look himself in the mirror.
— Trevor salzman (@TrevorSalzman) December 26, 2023
That’s why is was so important for this to work between Payton and Russ. Unfortunately it’s like eating soup with a hairy spoon. It’s Just not an ideal combo.
— Kevin Abee (@Kevin_Abee) December 26, 2023
Gotta eat the dead cap all in 1 yr, especially if 2025 ends up being a do or die yr for Payton
— Nigel Kangethe (@nigelksports) December 26, 2023
It’s certainly not an ideal situation for the Broncos. We’ll have to see how they choose to handle it.