The Broncos’ season began with questions about Russell Wilson‘s long-term future within new head coach Sean Payton‘s scheme. His contract was also a talking point, and that is once again the case given the recent decision to bench him. 
While the move to start Jarrett Stidham was based in part on the lack of consistency Denver produced on offense with Wilson at the helm, the latter’s 2025 injury guarantee was a factor as well. Wilson was approached midseason and asked to move the date at which his $37MM for that season became a full guarantee. Denver threatened to bench the nine-time Pro Bowler midseason if he refused to alter his contract, which remains intact.
Wilson was demoted to backup, but only after the Broncos’ postseason chances were essentially extinguished. Now, his future in the Mile High City is very much in doubt, although he has expressed a desire to finish his career in Denver. With respect to the situation surrounding his contract, no action from the player’s association is expected to take place, something which could help lead to an amicable split or a reconciliation.
The NFLPA sent a letter to the Broncos and the league’s management council in early November, days after the team approached Wilson’s agent about delaying his injury guarantee. As noted by Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the union stated in that correspondence that benching him would constitute a violation of the CBA and his contract. The Broncos, meanwhile, met with the management council and, upon accepting Wilson’s decision not to alter his pact, proceeded with much of the second half of the campaign with him under center after he called the team’s bluff (h/t Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer).
While this situation has become a public issue and one which will have franchise-altering consequences if Wilson is indeed released, it is not set to produce action from the NFLPA. Despite the letter suggesting a grievance could be filed in the wake of Wilson being benched, Denver7’s Troy Renck notes that has not happened yet. More to the point, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds no grievances are expected in the future.
Per Rapoport, Broncos general manager George Paton‘s request that Wilson delay (rather than remove) the vesting date of his 2025 guarantee led the NFLPA to not view the possibility of his benching as a genuine threat. As a result, attention will remain on how the parties proceed after the campaign comes to an end. Denver has been eliminated from the playoffs, and a QB pursuit will ensue if Wilson is released in the near future. His next destination would become a key NFL storyline, and it would mark an unceremonious end to his time in Denver.
Move on Denver.
My guess is They will Mutually part ways get traded to a team that needs QB that dont get a young QB in draft.. Like Pitts would be a great fit..
No sane GM will take on that contract in a trade.
He has a no trade clause. Will be a repeat of Carr situation last year. Why would he agree to be traded and have that ridiculous contract go along with him and hamstring his new franchise? He can sign with whomever he wants on a veteran minimum contract, collect Denver’s money, watch his new team not have to give anything up via trade comp…
Falcons get a new head coach and Russ makes them an instant playoff team?….I’d like to believe so, I just don’t get how he was so bad with Denver?
That would be awful. We just got out of cap hell, why would you want us to go back in it for a vet who has often been a lockerroom wrecker and appears washed? Insane.
This new ownership group in Denver competes with Carolina for disfunction. All reports were they wanted AR to team up with Hacket. But when they couldn’t get Aaron, they choose for option 2, Russ. Traded a ton of picks and players for him. Similar deal for their coaching search this year. Peyton was their 3rd choice. D Ryans was their 1st choice, followed by Harbaugh. And just like Russ, way overpaid for Sean.
Now they will have their next 2 seasons with some $40m in cap hits. After all of that, Mahomes is still in his 20’s. Bad time to be a Bronco fan.
One question, what do the players think of their union not protecting a fellow player?
Contracts get restructured all the time. NFLPA didn’t see any wrongdoing. It’s that simple.
Exactly, nfl contracts aren’t guaranteed n R usually backlogged w/big compensation #’s that the player will nvr see. Was always mirage to make contracts look more substantial than they really are. Players get cut all the time. Life is not fair. How bout dude in New England right now, got close to millions in incentives n has been healthy scratch by Pats last 2wks to insure they don’t have to pay that money. That’s sum dirty malfeasance there. W/o Lawrence Taylor n Brady on his roster, making cch look like all time great, he’d been outa league along time ago n prob cchn @middle Tennessee state, “We’re on to bowling Green …”
I see both of your points. So why did the NFLPA say they would file paperwork saying ‘that benching him would constitute a violation of the CBA and his contract.’.
Just an odd story and many of the sports sites covered it for a reason.
I don’t think George Paton is a bad GM but his handling of the Wilson contract situation is probably not going to convince the top free agent players to rush to Denver.
Seems pretty clear Sean is calling the shots there, not George.
Wilson’s attitude and sense of entitlement is what doomed him. After he threw Pete Carroll under the bus a few years ago, forced a trade and lobbied the broncos to give him what he wanted after he got traded ppl around the league are wary of him. Payton ain’t putting up with it and his contract ain’t helping matters