The Denver Broncos shocked the football world today by announcing the release of star quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade just last season, was seen as the missing piece that would lead the Broncos back to Super Bowl glory. However, after a disappointing season that saw the team miss the playoffs, it seems that management has decided to move on from Wilson.
The decision to release Wilson has left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. Many believed that he still had plenty of good years left in him and could turn things around for the struggling team. However, it appears that the front office has other plans for the future of the franchise.
The Broncos thanked Wilson, 35, for his contributions. The team continued, "We are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond."
Wilson was part of a blockbuster trade-and-salary deal in 2022 that brought him on board from the Seattle Seahawks. Denver had signed Wilson to a five-year, $245 million extension, NBCSports.com reported.
The deal wasn't as fruitful as the team wanted, the league's "Around the NFL" reported. The Broncos went 13-21 during Wilson's time, and late last season head coach Sean Payton benched Wilson and started Jarrett Stidham instead.
As a result of parting ways with the highly paid signal-caller, Denver will eat $39 million but avoid a $37 million guaranteed trigger for the 2025 season that would have taken effect this month. Still, the Broncos will take on $85 million in total dead salary cap over the next two years by releasing Wilson, which will be the largest dead cap hit in NFL history.
The writing was on the wall for Wilson despite his recent protestations; just last week, he said on the I Am Athlete podcast that he hoped his future was in Denver.
Wilson's release will end a disappointing chapter for both sides. The Broncos went 11-19 in Wilson's starts over two seasons and failed to make the playoffs. Payton benched him with two games remaining in 2023, a move that in effect marked the end of the quarterback's career in Denver.
"Russell Wilson wanted out of Seattle. He made it very clear he did not want to be there," she continued. "There were rumors about him trying to get people fired who were in the building. So, there's step one, ego."
"Now the Broncos try to go and get Russell Wilson, they give up a lot. Egotistically, they think that is worth it. And then do some more bad business in upping the deal when they didn't have to do that either."
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