Russell Wilson was benched; why? Is he no longer a Bronco fan?
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado: Russell Wilson’s future is the greatest choice the Denver Broncos will have to make this offseason, and they gave a hint when they benched Wilson on Wednesday with two games remaining in the regular season in favor of Jarrett Stidham.
Although coach Sean Payton has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the offense, Wilson’s five-year, $242.6 million contract, signed in 2022, bears a lot of potential salary cap damage if Wilson isn’t behind center in 2024.
Although Wilson ranks in the top 10 of the NFL in terms of touchdown passes and passer rating, the Broncos rank 22nd in the red zone and among the poorest in terms of third-down productivity and goal-to situations. The Broncos will most likely miss the playoffs for the eighth time in a row and end the season without a 1,000-yard receiver for the fourth time in a row.
This season, Wilson has only had one 300-yard passing performance (in the team’s 70-20 defeat to the Miami Dolphins). However, he has been more effective and has thrown fewer interceptions (8) than he did in the previous campaign, when he finished with a career-high 55 sacks, a career-low 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
But is he headed out of Denver with the news coming out of the Broncos’ stadium? We respond to the most important queries:
With two games remaining in the season, why bench Wilson?
For the most part of the second half of the season, Payton has been furious with the offense; following the team’s loss to Detroit, he even got into a brawl with Wilson on the sidelines. Despite Wilson being tied for sixth in the NFL in touchdown passes (26), Payton claimed on Tuesday that the Broncos were “average to below average in a lot of things offensively.”
Editor’s Selection
And there’s the cash. Whether he stays on the team or not, Wilson will receive $39 million in 2024; however, if he fails a medical in early March, he will also be promised an additional $37 million. That assurance might be activated by an injury sustained in the final two games of the season. It’s evident from their actions that the Broncos want to avoid having to pay it. — Jeff Legwold
Was Wilson’s last game in Denver as the starter?
The first step in reaching that goal is this. If that’s the case, though, there are important choices and roster-building problems ahead.
If Wilson is cut by the Broncos, he will be subject to significant dead money penalties over the following two seasons. Really, there’s no way to remedy that, so there’s salary cap room that can’t be used for players—including QB replacement candidates.
If they are looking to upgrade over Wilson, the upcoming class of free agents quarterbacks appears thin, and the Broncos only have six picks in the April draft—they do not have a second-round pick.
Even if they may not like Wilson at center, they will have a difficult time finding a replacement. — Legwold
What kind of financial loss would Wilson’s departure cause the Broncos?
The Broncos owe $85 million in dead money over the course of two seasons and might designate Wilson as a post-June 1 release after the season. $35.4 million in 2024 and $49.6 million in 2025 would be due to them. Wilson would also be owed $39 million in cash by Denver by 2024. In the event that Wilson was cut by the Broncos, Payton would probably have to look elsewhere for a cheap quarterback and try to win using a different kind of roster-building approach.
In the unlikely event that Denver could persuade the acquiring team to pay Wilson’s $22 million option bonus, trading Wilson before June 1 would leave the Broncos with an astounding $68 million in dead money the following season. If the acquiring team does not take up the incentive, it would owe Wilson $54 million over the next two years (and $76 million if it did). The trade value of Wilson’s contract is probably negative, but the quarterback position is illogical. — Barnwell, Bill
Denver is anticipated to select at position 13 in the 2024 draft. Maybe a quarterback there, right?
The four quarterbacks predicted to be selected in Round 1 may not come to the Broncos in April’s draft, but they should still be taken into consideration for the position. By the time Denver makes its selection, Josh Maye of North Carolina, Jayden Daniels of LSU, and Caleb Williams of USC will most likely already be selected, leaving only Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy as a plausible option (though McCarthy may yet decide to stay in college for another year).
What to know about the NFL draft in 2024
McCarthy’s skill set is something the Broncos should take advantage of if he falls outside of the top 10, where at least six teams may decide to make a quarterback move. McCarthy is a tremendously fluid, strong-armed passer who is quite effective both inside and outside the pocket. His field vision, movement talents, and capacity for second effort would all mesh wonderfully with Payton’s plan. — Matthew Miller
What role will Wilson play in the 2024 quarterback market if the Broncos cut him?
Wilson should be valuable on the free agent market despite being benched, particularly if Kirk Cousins of Minnesota or Baker Mayfield of Tampa Bay decide to stay with their current teams.
Despite his difficulties while playing out of the pocket, Wilson has made four drives that have won games this year. He still has decent touch on deep balls and can throw well while moving.
In addition to the Giants, the Falcons and Patriots will probably be looking for a veteran quarterback if Daniel Jones need further time to heal from his knee injury.
Wilson once considered leaving Seattle and had the Raiders on his own short list. Wilson would get the opportunity to test Payton’s defense twice a year if Las Vegas chooses to go with the veteran option.
The Finest in NFL Country
Hey, Wilson’s high-rolling days are most likely behind him. After two stops, he has exhausted his welcome. However, have you observed the quarterback situation over the last two seasons and who is making significant plays on Sundays? He has a place here.– Jeremy Fowler
Is there a chance that Stidham will start the following season?
In Wilson’s absence, everything is up for grabs. Within the league, there are those who think Payton persuaded Stidham to sign with Denver over his free agency choices, citing the possibility that Stidham would eventually be able to compete for the starting job.
Although neither Payton nor Stidham have made any statements to that effect in public, the Broncos were the team that pursued Stidham the hardest in free agency last March, aside from the offensive line overhaul. What he does on Sunday and probably in the Los Angeles Raiders’ season finale the following week could give him a head start in demonstrating that potential.
