MARCH 2: As Wilson and Payton’s comments on the matter have continually suggested, the Broncos are expected to move forward with a release. Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the belief around the league remains that Wilson will be cut by next week (subscription required). The Broncos and all other teams will need to have their financial situations in order in time for the start of the new league year on March 13.
FEBRUARY 26: The quarterback position is one worth watching in Denver this offseason. The Broncos appear poised to move on from Russell Wilson (and absorb major dead cap charges in the process), but the former Super Bowl winner is still open to remaining with the team. 
The Broncos benched Wilson once a playoff berth was essentially out of reach, leading to questions about his future in the organization after just two seasons and one under head coach Sean Payton. Wilson was approached by the team about restructuring his contract and threatened to be benched if he refused to alter his injury guarantee. He remained the starter for a short time afterwards, and no changes have been made yet to his pact.
During a recent appearance on the I Am Athlete podcast, Wilson repeated that he was not prepared to set a precedent by delaying the point at which his $37MM injury guarantee for the 2025 season would vest (h/t ESPN’s Jeff Legwold). The nine-time Pro Bowler notably added that Payton told him to “act like nothing happened” in advance of the team’s win over the Bills on November 13; indeed, reports on the timing of the matter did not emerge until the news of Wilson’s benching broke.
The Broncos would face major cap consequences by releasing Wilson immediately or designating him a post-June 1 cut. He is still likely to be playing elsewhere in 2024, however, as Denver prepares to move forward with Jarrett Stidham or, potentially, a first-round selection in April’s draft under center. If Wilson has his way, though, he will remain in the Mile High City for 2024 and beyond.
“I’ve got more fire than ever, honestly, especially over the past two years of what I’ve gone through,” the 35-year-old told Brandon Marshall on the podcast. “Whether it’s in Denver or somewhere else, I hope it’s in Denver, I hope I get to finish there. I committed there, I wanted to be there. I want to be there.”
While Wilson has maintained a consistent public stance on the matter, Legwold reports he nevertheless “expects” to find himself in a new home shortly. The guaranteed money owed by Denver could make Wilson a low-cost addition to a team in need of a quarterback addition, and it will be interesting to see how much of a market he generates should he become a free agent. His preference would still be to avoid that, but a third Broncos campaign would come as a surprise at this point.
Denver doesn’t even want him. I’d be out. They have to pay him anyway lol. Go to Pittsburgh take advantage of that defense and ball out. Pitt has a better o line anyway
He is out. This is just a PR game.
I really wanted to stay but…
@Lars could be PR I won’t combat that. But it could be a respect thing. If front office says he’s the guy Russ is staying put. If not he walks. They have to pay either way they cut the cake!
Exactly, he doesn’t wanna be a “bad guy”. I mean what’s he supposed to say, “Yeahhh I kinda don’t wanna be here, but it’s like whatever. I mean they don’t want me and they have proven that so..”
Yeah he’s media trained for sure lol. But I think Russ can thrive in a good system that actually cares about him.
Would love him to come here to Pittsburgh and even though they could get him for league veteran minimum, it seems like a long shot. The Steelers seem committed to Pickett for another season which in my mind, at least, is a huge mistake
Not sure what defense you’re referring to here, however. They have a lot of glaring needs and d-line, inside linebacker and secondary are certainly among them
They had injury issues. Did you watch Steelers games? I think only 2 teams scored over 30 on them. They went toe to toe with ravens one game in a rainfall. Steelers will draft well on defense too they do every year. Only downs for me is afc north is way more brutal. West has chiefs but chargers are rebuilding and broncos usually play even keel with raiders every year. But Russ can be the answer. Also if Russ goes there it’s automatic at least 4 primetime games
Maybe we are spoiled here and see things differently. Yeah, they have TJ, Cam and Highsmith but you never saw opposing running backs blowing through their line for 8-10 yard clips as we’ve seen the past couple seasons.
Inside linebacker injuries hurt, of course but they also need some secondary help
Had to laugh at your question. I’ve been watching since 1972. You’re right. AFC North is the black and blue division and agree with you about Russ
Much respect to you sir! And one thing I’ve always liked about steeler nation is they’re very welcoming and have a winning culture. I joked that if Sam Darnold signed with Pitt a large part of the fan base would immediately embrace him
Sentinel, you wouldn’t take him here in Atl?…I would. Sign him 3 years and draft Pinnix in the 2nd round to sit. I’ve see you or someone here mention the locker room cancer Russ is but I haven’t heard any major stories about it?
@ braveshomer—Nope that wasn’t me. I defend Russ and as a falcons fan I 100% would take him in. Funny I was talking with my big bro about this yesterday. Russ is reliable, I think has only missed a handful of games in his decades plus career. Great thrower and pocket escape artist. Seasoned vet who’s played in multiple offensive styles since his young days at NC State. He’s a great pick. But my falcons most likely won’t move for him. Steelers is best fit for Russ imo
You’re mostly right-and I’m overall positive about Wilson when evaluating his career-but the main issue is that he really is not flexible offensively. He cannot utilize the middle of the field from the pocket, and struggles with timing and structure that an offense like Payton’s needs. So he’s pretty limited in terms of scheme, even though his physical talent is mostly still intact.
He’s more flexible when his WRs actually get separation and run good routes lol but I hear you. He’s not perfect but he’s a good QB
Russ wasn’t the same after his injury. Couldn’t scramble as well and make the plays he was used to making. You can see the great running game and great D in Seattle masked his weaknesses. He’s really an average pocket passer now. For Denver and Payton, I can see why they want a new QB to grow with.
I agree he’s lost some spark but 2023 showed he could bounce back and deliver huge plays.
They have a better o line? Denver ranked significantly better lmao.
If you watch the tape I’d say otherwise. Tank doesn’t tell whole story
You mean watching tape and seeing rus run into sacks? He sat two games and still ranked first in forced sacks, and forced pressure. Stats don’t lie either. You’ve clearly not watched broncos games.
I watch every game highlight. Every QB has lowlights and highlights. There were games where Russ wasn’t even sacked but you’re not talking about those. I wonder why lol
“Every highlight” lmao. I’ve watched every game. You know why I didn’t talk about those? Bc the line was actually pretty good this year. Hence the top 8 PFF grade. Rus is washed. Any fan who actually watched games and not highlights will tell you the same. Thank you for proving my point.
I didn’t prove anything. Russ isn’t washed bro lmao you watch too much ESPN lmao
Isn’t washed? He’s been washed since the 2020 season lmao. He’s barely going to have a market this year, and he’ll be out of the league in two. What is the stat? 3 300+ yard games since 2020? Most forced sacks, highest created sack percentage, bottom barrel epa per game? But isn’t washed lmao, okay clown if you say so.
Bro you have to formulate your own opinions. Russ was second in the afc with touchdown passes before he was benched. How is that washed? He beat the bills and chiefs defense and packers defense in a winning streak. Like come on. He’s still a top 15 QB bro. You sound crazy lmao
Your statement right there showed you’re just a box score watcher, and didn’t watch games. Ask any Denver fan who watched games, they’ll tell you the same. The defense won those games on the ridiculous turnover streak that had never been done before. Since you like stats, go look at where he ranks stat wise not counting TD/INT. He’s bottom 3 in almost every category. Not opinions, just facts. You’re comical.
I watched every local and primetime game so I saw plenty. You have your view I have mine. It’s comical to think a player of Russ’s caliber is washed after some unfavorable stats. If Russ is washed then so is Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff and Kyler Murray
Hurts is a mid qb, Goff still put up substantially better numbers than rus, and Kyler’s coming off injury? I don’t see what you’re trying to portray here. They’re all significantly younger than rus. Rus’s best last year was 2020. You’re trying to project old Seattle rus thinking he’s still the same player today as he’s aged. You’re just trying to argue in bad faith because you’re a Rus Stan, and still think he’s old Rus. Comical.
Man you’re a moron bro
You’ve proved my point.
If that helps you sleep tonight. Sure
Russel Wilson is on the tail end of his career ranking near bottom in QBR
Denver’s pass blocking was atrocious league wide as Wilson was the 5th most hurried QB in the game. Hurried is measured when the QB doesn’t have adequate time to make a throw or is forced out of the pocket due to pressure. That’s on the oline.
He’s number one in forced pressures. Check PFF, top 10.
And the oline was near the bottom in time given during passing especially against blitz. Again atrocious. Their protection vs 4 was equally as bad.
Wilson wasn’t even blitzed that much, 15th in the league vs blitz.
Both sucked is the point.
Wilson’s mansion in Cherry Hills is up for sale. This looks more like some pandering to make himself not look like a malcontent.
Don’t let this story distract you from hearing about Cam Newton taking on 6 men while dressed like a wizard today.
Russ is only a 1 year rental. Den has to pay near $40m this season which is why he says he’ll play for the vet minimum. In 2025, he’ll want $40m+.
Same speech, different player
The Broncos have no real prospect of finding someone better than RW for 2024. But if they’re tanking, maybe they want someone worse.
If the Broncos are tanking, they wasted their money and draft picks on Peyton then. Could have found a 1st time HC for a fraction of the price to clear their contracts and be fired after 2 years.
The latest hot take has Kirk Cousins, presently of Minnesota and formerly of the Washington Redskins, coming to Denver as its next QB1. You like that!
Every QB should keep playing until he’s been sacked more than 500 times said nobody ever.
He’ll be gone by next month.
This is very disrespectful. Sean Payton should be ashamed of himself. Their treatment of Russ is beyond the pale.
What I’ve gathered from the discussion on this post is “bro” and “lmao.”
The ineffective houseguest who’s overstayed his welcome, “Well, it’s a school night n u threw those untimely interceptions so time to go.”
I guess a real test would ask him to take a pay cut