Russell Wilson’s imminent release: Schedule for departure and latest developments on potential destinations.
It seems that Russell Wilson’s stint with the Denver Broncos is nearing its end after two underwhelming seasons. Despite the Broncos still being in contention for the NFL Playoffs and Wilson posting impressive stats, he was benched late in the 2023 season, sparking controversy throughout the league.
The decision to bench Wilson was largely driven by financial concerns related to the guaranteed money in his contract, which was only applicable in case of injury. The team didn’t want to risk paying out this money due to an injury, prompting an inquiry by the NFLPA and raising questions about the Broncos under head coach Sean Payton.
Recent reports indicate that Wilson’s time with the Broncos is likely to conclude soon, with ESPN’s Jeff Legwold stating that hardly anyone in the league expects Denver to retain him in the upcoming offseason. However, regardless of the Broncos’ decision, Wilson is set to receive a substantial $39 million for the 2024 season, and releasing him would incur an NFL-record $85 million dead cap hit for the team.
Looking ahead, the NFL’s free agent tampering period starting on March 11 suggests that Wilson would prefer an early release to expedite his entry into free agency. Meanwhile, for the Broncos, holding onto Wilson until his $37 million salary for 2025 becomes effective doesn’t seem practical. Therefore, they’ll likely be searching for a new starting quarterback this offseason, possibly through trade, necessitating careful financial planning beforehand.
Prospective quarterbacks like Justin Fields, Mac Jones, and Zach Wilson could be available on the trade market. It’s worth noting that Denver can negotiate a trade agreement before the new league year begins, streamlining their transition to a new signal caller.
