MARCH 13: The Broncos have officially released Wilson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This paves the way for the quarterback to officially ink a contract with the Steelers.
Denver designated Wilson as a post-June 1 cut, meaning the team will take on dead cap hits of $53MM in 2024 and $32MM in 2025. According to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, the team will absorb the pricier of the two hits this year. The $53MM hit represents the priciest dead cap hit in NFL history, topping the Falcons’ $40.5MM Matt Ryan number from 2022, and it will account for 20.5 percent of the team’s adjusted salary cap in 2024. Still, this was the expected move, as the Broncos’ decision to cut Wilson after the start of free agency made the designation possible.
MARCH 4: As expected, Russell Wilson‘s Broncos tenure will end after two seasons. The team announced on Monday that the former Super Bowl winner will be released after the start of the new league year. 
Wilson has confirmed the move in a farewell message to Denver after a short-lived stint in the city. Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks in 2022, he endured a highly underwhelming first campaign with the Broncos. Improvement was seen under Sean Payton this past year, but the 35-year-old’s fate appeared to be sealed when he was benched late in the campaign.
That decision (which came after the team’s playoff chances had essentially been extinguished) was driven in part by Denver’s attempts to have Wilson push back the vesting date for his 2025 injury guarantee. The nine-time Pro Bowler declined to do so, and no adjustments were ultimately made to his pact – a five-year, $245MM extension inked not long after arriving in the Mile High City. Given the other compensation already owed, though, the Broncos will be hit with a considerable cap crunch by moving on.
Denver would have incurred an $85MM dead cap charge be releasing Wilson right away. By waiting until after the start of free agency (March 13), the option of designating him a post-June 1 release will come into play. That route will not yield any cap savings and produce $35.4MM in dead money in 2024, but the financial outlook in 2025 and beyond will be much more positive from the team’s perspective (although the $85MM will remain on the team’s cap sheet until June 2). Denver owes Wilson $39MM this season, a portion of which will be offset once he signs with a new team.
Given the guaranteed compensation coming the way of the former Walton Payton Man of the Year winner, though, many have speculated he will sign for the league minimum with an interested team. The market Wilson will now generate will be a key offseason storyline and represent one of the major dominoes in the 2024 QB carousel. His play under Payton (26:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, 98.0 passer rating) was not sufficient for the parties to continue their relationship, but it could encourage QB-needy teams to at least take a flier on him.
Wilson made it clear in the wake of his benching that he intended to remain in Denver for 2024 and beyond, but he also acknowledged the strong possibility he would be let go. Now that the team’s decision is clear, he can turn his attention to the third chapter of his career. Following a decorated Seattle stint including a pair of Super Bowl appearances, Wilson will need to rebuild his value with his next opportunity.
For the Broncos, meanwhile, today’s news confirms the post-Peyton Manning situation under center has still not been resolved on a long-term basis. The Broncos’ Week 1 starter in 2024 will be their seventh different signal-caller to start a campaign in the nine years since Manning’s retirement. Payton has publicly endorsed Jarrett Stidham (who took over from Wilson), but a draft investment would come as no surprise.
Denver is among the teams which have been tapped as a potential trade-up candidate. The Broncos’ ability to stay within striking distance of the playoffs for much of the year left them 12th in the draft order as things stand. Several of the 2024 class’ top passers will be off the board by that point, so an aggressive (and, in terms of draft capital, costly) move will be required to get access to them. Failing that, a second-tier option at the QB spot such as J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix would be on the team’s radar, and Denver has done homework on that pair.
Regardless of the route taken, expectations will be on Payton to deliver the offensive turnaround his acquisition was in large part predicated on. The longtime Saints head coach brought considerable pedigree with him after a season away from the sidelines, but a disappointing result emerged in his first year. The second will involve a new face under center, just as Wilson will find himself in a different situation.
Steelers bound. Make it happen Omar.
I wish, Lars. But will be shocked if they change their “Pickett is our guy” stance they keep pushing
But they didn’t have Wilson at a cheap salary sitting there and waiting to be signed, either. I’m sure Pickett is their guy in 2027.
That scenario would have them saving some face in all of this, too. “Kenny is learning behind a veteran QB”.
Good lord, please no.
Come to Atlanta or go to Steelers. It’s elementary
You must not be a fan of either team. He’s proven to be a cancer in the locker room.
This Guy had his own Office in Denver until Payton made him get rid of it !! He is no longer a top ten QB !
Proven by whom?
That’s absolute nonsense. He is not a cancer in the locker room and I haven’t seen that fabricated narrative being pushed by Bronco players. Wilson is easily Denver’s best option in terms of winning the most games this season. If Wilson signs with either the Steelers or Falcons that team will make the playoffs.
Facts.
Are you saying that if Derek Carr went to the Steelers or falcons they would make the playoffs as well?
Derek Carr isn’t in the same class as Russ. He’s barely better than Ryan Tannehill lmao
68.4 comp pct
228.1 pass yds/game
7.1 yds/att
25 pass TD, 8 INT
To:
66.4 comp pct
204.7 pass yds/game
6.9 yds/att
26 pass TD, 8 INT
And you wanted to argue with me on an earlier post that rus isn’t washed? If Carr is barely better than Tannehill, then what does that make Rus? You’ve essentially argued that Rus is on point with Tannehill.
Im from Bakersfield where Raider fans still think hes good… ive heard the entire book on why he sucks……
I know what you mean haha, I played ball out in Bakersfield and heard it all while I was out there as well
Not a team player. It’s funny A-Rod gets all this grief but yet he gave back money to the Jets to sign other players. Wilson.. not so much.. Time to start fresh with a lot of Dead money…
You mean the team that asked him to adjust his salary or he’d be benched the rest of the year team player? The threat alone demands a hell no. The team signed him and knew what they got into, just as teams expect players to honor their contracts. Works both ways. They didn’t have to trade for him…
This ^
Payton pushed this narrative because Wilson refused to restructure his contract. Then he benched him. 26 TD passes versus 8 interceptions. Classy
That kind of performance would have people wanting to erect a statue of him outside of Acrisure
I like Wilson’s ability to move, the fact he has a big arm and hangs in the pocket
I don’t know anything about his locker room personality. He’d make the Steelers a team that could—could—contend
No amount of Pickett or even Rudolph provides the same optimism
When did Wilson hang in the pocket? Did you watch games?
You must not watch the Steelers, Ox. Pickett panics as soon as the ball is snapped. Comparatively speaking, Wilson is cool under fire
Watch a few Steelers highlights and maybe you’ll understand
I haven’t, but I watch some of Pickett. I understand your frustration. But mark this post now if you sign him. Rus isn’t the answer, he’ll be just as bad as Pickett in moving the needle. And fumbles more.
I think it’s a moot point, Ox, because I don’t think the Steelers will do anything to challenge Pickett this year. Even bringing Rudolph back is a stretch, given that he won the locker room over with his play down the stretch.
Tannehill. Brissett. These are the kinds of guys I’m counting on
As for Wilson, you’re right. I have never seen enough of him. This is kind of like the national media pushing Fields here, who I have seen a lot of. Better athlete, better QB and younger than Pickett. Not an upper echelon guy but still one who could take them places
But it’s national media. Local guys who cover the Steelers daily—and here, they’re headliners 365 days a year—say Pickett is the organization’s choice
Guess we’ll see
If teams had their way they would shame any player who even wants to have $1 of guaranteed money on their contract for not being a team player.
Wilson hasn’t received a single dollar from his new contract with Denver. How can he give back something he hasn’t received?
If he signs a three year deal with year one at league minimum, does he still get the rest from Denver in year one or does it have to be a one year deal for Denver to foot the bill?
His money is guaranteed from Denver. Any contract he signs, Denver will pay the difference between what he’s signed for and the guaranteed money left on Denver deal
Falcons, Raiders, Vikings, Pats all should be after him
Last time New England signed a free agent QB it didn’t go well.
Cam Newton? He played fine. Definitely wasn’t the same player but
2600 yards passing 8 TDs, 10 Ints
592 yards rushing, 12 TDs, 1 receiving TD, 6 fumbles idk how many lost.
Im sure he would have been better not throwing to guys like N’Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers. Donte Moncrief at WR and Ryan Izzo at TE
Newton signed with the Patriots in 2020. Tested positive for Covid-19 at the beginning of October — caused one of many disruptions to the NFL schedule that pandemic-stricken season. New England finished 7-9.
Yeah totally his fault he caught a cold. Shame on him for getting sick.
Anyways. He played fine. Probably would have been better if he had better cast around him.
And doubt Patriots or any team has to worry about stupid rules that didnt do much anymore. Least we hope so.
8 TDs with 10 INTs is playing “fine”?
Wow
12 rushing TDs and 1 receiving TD. Reading isn’t your strong suit I see.
21 TDs is 21 TDs
He’s a quarterback, not a running back. Being responsible for 21 TDs is not that impressive for a QB. In fact, it’s rather mediocre.
Reasoning isn’t your strong suit I see …
Welcome to 2020s where mobile QBs are a thing and have been for at least 5+ years.
This isn’t 1980 or 1990 grandpa. It is about time you caught up with the times.
21 TDs is fine for a guy who was
brought in to be a bridge between Brady and their next QB.
brought in during 2020 where he wasn’t exactly given a full offseason
Maybe your expectations suck or maybe you don’t know much about football. Maybe both.
Your comeback was lame unoriginal and stale. Do better.
Your initial comment was much more lame.
As you said 21 TDs is 21 TDs.
That placed Cam Newton 20th in combined touchdowns for a QB.
He tied Carson Wentz with 21 TDs – pretty damn far from “fine”.
Stick to Madden kid
Lamar Jackson just won mvp again being a mobile qb due to his rushing ability. You’re bad at this. Move along stop wasting my time with your stupidity.
Oh you mean he played fine finishing 20th? Yeah thanks for proving my point. Completely undermined your whole argument there genius.
FINE. not elite not great FINE. how you were your daddy’s fastest swimmer is sad and pathetic
It sure means a lot being called stupid by the kid sitting in the corner wearing the pointy cap.
Don’t be a sore loser.
Aaron Rodgers lead the league with 51 combined touchdowns in 2020 Josh, Allen had 46 combined TDs. Russell Wilson had 42 combined TDs. Heck, Baker Mayfield had 27 TDs. Newton only had 21 TDs in 15 games.
Newton was only able to beat such “fine” quarterbacks as Carson Wentz, Drew Lock, Mitch Trubisky, and Gardner Minshew because they only played 12, 13, 10, and 9 games, respectively. All of them were on a pace to beat him if they’d played 15 games.
It was such a “fine” season that Newton would only play 8 more games in the NFL after that year.
Such a “ fine” comment by you. You get a participation trophy.
Ta ta for now child.
Lamar Jackson wins mvp as a dual threat qb. 24 TDs passing TDs wasn’t going to win mvp.
Jalen Hurts finished 2nd last year as a dual threat qb. 22 passing TDs wasn’t going to win mvp or finish 2nd in voting
Cam Newton won one as a dual threat qb.
And yet you choose to be ignorant and post something stupid like “he quarterback no running back” lmao get off the comment boards if you’re going to post stuff that dumb.
People a lot better at football than you understand how impactful it is to have a qb like that.
Newton did fine in 2020
*no actual off season cause of Covid and regulations / rules hurt things like practice during the year
*underwhelming support cast of WRs and TEs
And you get your panties in a bunch cause I said he did fine based on everything he had to deal with that year
Move along. You’re embarrassing yourself at this point.
20th in TDs for a bridge QB, that signed for little money, and had no talent around him… sounds like the epitome of fine.
@earmbrister – yet somehow he has a ring.
Not in 2020 and not with New England.
My only point was that Newton’s production in 2020 was mediocre at best. Had nothing to do with the value of mobile QBs or Newton’s overall career.
IIRC, Newton had 21 combined TDs in 2020 vs 44 combined TDs in his MVP season. 21 TDs in 15 games doesn’t get you anything but released.
Were you attempting to make a point? NE should never again sign a free agent QB because one guy didn’t meet your expectations? Please keep posting!
Cam wasn’t a star but he wasn’t bad. Wilson would be 10x better than the garbage the Pats have now. It’s just his attitude that’s in question.
Russell Wilson was 0-4 vs Raiders, to include 0-3 vs Josh McHoodie. Based on that record alone he will not find a soft landing in Las Vegas.
Besides, I don’t see Antonio Pierce handing Wilson keys to his own office for him and his staff. I don’t see AP giving Wilson anything more than Eli Manning had, and Eli didn’t get an office until he joined the front office after retirement.
I’d take the year off and go into media. Make Denver cough up the entire $39 as a parting gift.
Sorry, but that’s just dumb on various levels.
How so? Why should he cut Denver a break, they didn’t give him one.
So, getting $39mil from Denver instead of $38mil from Denver and the other $1mil from another team is worth missing a full season just to stick it to Denver makes sense? It’s dumb, petty, spiteful and foolish. In 2 months another class of QBs will be drafted reducing his landing spots, missing a full season to spite Denver will bring 2 full classes of QBs that teams want to see be their franchise QB further diminishing his value. But yeah, he ought to miss this season to make Denver pay the full $39mil as payback for his lackluster play when he can get them to pay $38mil and his new team $1mil while he goes out there and lights it up to prove Payton/Denver wrong.
If his value is diminished now, what’s the difference 1 year later? Better question, what do you expect from this year and next, when he wants another $40-50m from the new team?
Russ is done and the only people that don’t belief that will overpay for him. No different than Fields. A BU QB, but some team will pay a 2nd for him and be disappointed.
Russ’s next team is why parity is a myth. Poorly run teams always are under .500.
“If his value is diminished now, what’s the difference 1 year later?”
Reading is not your forte, I clearly indicated he would have 2 full draft classes of QBs primed to take the vacancies while he sits out 2024 at your suggestion to spite Denver and force them to pay his salary all by themselves. But go ahead and veer off to other issues instead of addressing that idiotic suggestion. SMH…
And he already stuck it to Denver as they’re on the hook for his bloated salary and $85mil as a cap hit which tells you everything you need to know about what they thought of him.
Let’s see what Sean can do w/o a HoF QB in his prime. $1 says same results as Bill B w/o Tom, well below .500. Cocky and crappy is my bet.
I couldn’t care less, my comments were responding to the idiotic suggestion he sits the 2024 season out to spite the Broncos and force them to pay the whole salary. Just a dumb suggestion, own it.
Do you want Russ on a 1 year rental knowing in 2025 he’ll demand $40m+? You can’t build long term like that & it’s clear you can’t build around Russ now. He’s done. So what is value to another GM at this point, a cheap 1 year rental, then start over again next offseason?
Again, I could not care less, merely replying to the comment about RW sitting this season out to stick it to the Broncos. Perhaps you should sit this one out as well.
Nope. When 2 borderline HoF HC’s say ‘goodbye’ maybe it’s time to look at another career.
Another lame duck poster who clearly doesn’t know football. Payton got Teddy, Winston and Hill paid lmao. He turned Teddy and Winston into looking like bonafide starters. Or we can talk about Romo, who credited him too. Do you not know football? Or do you just think you do from the Reddit threads you scour?
So he should quit playing simply to cost Denver a few more dollars? Thinking prior to posting is an option that you should look into very seriously.
What did Denver do to him? How did they do Wilson dirty? Just wondering.. From a distance it looks like the Organization did all they could.. He’s the one who didn’t produce!!
No disagreement, but Denver botched the trade and contract. Why should Russ help them out? Denver didn’t help out Russ by overpaying for Sean as a starter.
how would him signing at league minimum for another team give Denver a break? Denver still owes him his guaranteed money minus the likely $1m he signs for.
If your boss fired you, would you cut him any slack, nope. Make Denver pay the full 100%. Besides any team that wants him is only getting a 1 year rental. In 2025, Russ will demand $50m per season and he’s not worth it. Nor will he take a team very far this year. It’s business. he offers very little value for 1 year.
67 percent completion percentage 26 tds 8 ints… some PLAYOFF teams would take that level of production from their qb play.
If he was so valuable, both Seattle and Den would not have punted on him quickly. Both teams are glad he’s gone.
If he plays for league minimum he still sticks it to Denver and maybe he actually plays well where he could build up his value for the next year. Not sure what the market would be for a QB who takes a year away from football after having 3+ down seasons where he looked cooked.
If Russ played well last year, he wouldn’t be cut now or could have been traded. Russ is done. But some sucker team will pick him up, be around .500 and make him a huge offer next offseason, then lose again in ’25. That predictable.
Over 3000 yards. 26 TDs. 8 Interceptions. On a mediocre team. After a slow start the Broncos were 7-4 down the stretch. You don’t consider this playing well? He was not getting traded with that contract when another team could take a shot at landing him as a free agent. It’s almost like you just started following the NFL.
The defense won games down the stretch. Why in your opinion do you possibly think rus did well? It’s like you didn’t watch any of the games. NO wants Carr out of town. And if you go on here, everyone says the same about Carr. Yet you rus Stan’s just love to think Rus was great this season lmao.
Yikes, worst NFL trade ever? Right up there with the Trey Lance embarrassment.
49ers pass on Mahomes for Solomon F’n Thomas with the plan to trade draft capital for Jimmy G only to trade a FU** TON more draft capital to replace him with a BUST that isn’t even on the roster anymore.
OR The Broncos trading the house for a washed Russ only to be hit with 85 mil in dead money to get rid of him.
I feel bad for Denver and SF fans.
The Lance trade was brutal, but I’d say on balance SF fans are doing just fine.
Even though the media tells you otherwise, niners fans are quite happy with brock purdy.
Brock Purdy>Trey Lance. No regrets
Pat Mahomes>Solomon Thomas, Jimmy G, Trey Lance… Purdy
That said, at least y’all got a decent game manager in Purdy. Denver got a whole lot of nothin but a record breaking 85 mil in dead money.
I mean there were 9 teams that drafted before the Chiefs that could’ve snagged him.
Chicago was the only one who drafted a QB (Trubisky) and the next QB was Watson to the Texans at 12.
The 49ers are 35-16 in the regular season with three trips to at least the conference championship since they made that trade. Again, brutal trade, but saying you feel bad for SF fans is odd.
Thank you captain hindsight. I’m sure you had Tom Brady going number 1 in 2000 too.
So if I have this right, Denver acquired Wilson with two years left on his deal, gave him a huge extension, and then he only played two years for them anyway. I get that they were going to extend him after acquiring him, but ouch.
Losing out on Charles Cross and Devon Witherspoon hurts more
Yeah, that’s quite a haul for Seattle.
Russ will end up just fine. At least 5 teams need a vet QB.
He can lead some of them to the playoffs. Still plenty of juice left.
I wouldn’t mind the NY Giants getting Wilson. Does Daniel Jones have any trade value?
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that only QB to find a career rebirth on their third team was Jim Plunkett. He played with an awful New England and San Fran team that just allowed the defense to beat the living snot out of him. Al Davis sat him for a year and The Raiders were rewarded with 2 Super Bowls, 1 SB MVP, and a Comeback POY.
Just saying.
Plunkett didn’t get to QB the Silver and Black until Dan Pastorini went down with a fractured leg in October 1980.
Also Plunkett was a Heisman Trophy winner at Stanford and was great enough to even be included in the College Football HoF. I don’t think he ever needed a “rebirth” in his career or anything.
How bout Baker Mayfield! 1st Pro Bowl last season with TB, after stints with CLEV and CAR!
Wow. They got fleeced. He should sign with the Raiders. That’d be quite a show .
League Minimum just to troll Denver, or forget it.
And so it begins. The great cap hit of our time.
Denver said Sean Payton > Russell Wilson
Minnesota
Tongue in cheek spitballing, but….1) dump Cousins, 2) pick up Wilson at the league minimum, 3) Give JJ a max contract, and 4) throw him endless bombs/jumpballs = deep
Playoff run!
I’m of the opinion they should trade Jefferson and build around Addison, although if they did brining in Wilson makes zero sense. Team has a lot of needs..
I agree regarding lots of needs and don’t hate your suggestion. Just fear giving Cousins a max at his age and potentially diminished physical ability will put MN in a similar situation to Denver. The cap hit from letting him go is a big concern though. Guess that’s why I don’t make GM $
I’m not sold on Addison. A bunch of the late season Nick Mullins interceptions were actually on Addison. Trading JJ depends on how much he wants, how much the team can afford to give him, what the team is planning to do at QB, and what trading JJ can bring back.
My concern with Jefferson is the dormant yet always present diva complex most WR’s have. If he has someone like Darnold throwing to him…
Trade up, give up draft capital that would lead to cheaper players all while having all that dead/lost money from Wilson? Yikes. Stand pat, take the best available player or a slight reach on a tier 2 QB.
Atlanta or Washington…..maybe even the Giants.
His style is similar to Fields and Tarkenton, ‘run around scared crap less until opportunity presents’, then make a positive advancement.
With new coaches in 2 of those cities he might fit their schemes or they might could adapt to him while not ‘spending’ draft capital or big $.
Very disrespectful on the part of the Broncos. They’ve proven themselves to be very low class. An embarrassment to the NFL.
Disrespectful? Low class? It’s a business decision and they made him aware of it ahead of time. It’s not like it came out of nowhere and he found out when it aired on ESPN. SMH…
You mean common practice in sports? Or do you mean rus’s PR team just wanted to make a spectacle of it because if the diva? I swear you rus stand are brainless and don’t know sports. Stay casual kid.
Wilson > Pickett any day of the year.
Broncos Country. Let’s file for unemployment.
Does this seal it as the worst trade in history?