After Cut Off From Broncos What Are The Most Likely Landing Spots For QB Russell Wilson?

Russell Wilson was notified by the Denver Broncos on Monday that he will be released soon, even though the organization would take a record $85 million salary cap hit in only two years after paying a high price to acquire and extend him.

After Cut Off From Broncos What Are The Most Likely Landing Spots For QB Russell Wilson?

However, Wilson’s benching during the last two weeks of the previous season—despite his usually effective play that was, statistically speaking, significantly superior to Wilson’s rookie year in Denver—hardly comes as a surprise. Wilson was also benched by coach Sean Payton. And after the coach was hired in 2023, it was never a secret that Wilson, 35, and Payton were a shotgun couple.

Before ever taking a snap for Denver, Wilson signed a multi-year, $245 million contract agreement that was scheduled to keep him through 2028. The Broncos later regretted this choice.

NFL Media reports that the Broncos will spend $39 million, but they will not be obligated to pay the $37 million guaranteed that would have been due in 2025. The Broncos will assume an NFL record dead cap of $85 million, according to Front Office Sports. This change will probably be classified as a transaction that occurred after June 1. Denver will be subject to a $35.4 million cap charge in 2024 and a $53.6 million cap charge in 2025, according to Pro Football Talk.

The Broncos announced their decision with a joint statement from general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton.

“We spoke with Russell Wilson today to inform him of his release after the start of the league year. On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career.

“As we move forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond. We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”

Sean Payton helped Wilson’s stats in Year 2, but it was clear the former Saints head coach never saw him as a long-term starter.

But in free agency, Denver’s garbage will be another team’s treasure. The five clubs that Wilson could be able to choose from in 2024 are shown below.

Atlanta Falcons 

At the combine, Raheem Morris, the new head coach of the Falcons, stated unequivocally that Atlanta is open to all options for acquiring a quarterback. It may arrive through the draft, free agency, or trade. Wilson is therefore a possibility, particularly in light of the fact that the 35-year-old most likely wants to keep starting.

The Falcons offense, which has playmakers in Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, has a new leader in Zac Robinson. Former head coach Arthur Smith was criticized mostly for not running the offense through his finest playmakers, which allowed Russ to be only a football distributor rather than needing to will his team to victory on his own.

Las Vegas Raiders

Wilson does not appear to be in the best circumstances for a rebuild, and considering the organizational DNA, he does not appear to be the best quarterback for the Silver and Black. However, he is a stronger short-term option than Jimmy Garoppolo and Aidan O’Connell, and a club that selects 13th overall next month may find him to be a better fit. Wilson would be able to see the Broncos twice a year by moving to Sin City, and he could be able to establish stronger foundational work than Garoppolo did. It’s unfortunate that U2’s tenure came to an end over the weekend; Russ, nothing is going your way.

Davante Adams, the wide receiver, is back, but he needs a quarterback to pass the ball to him. Furthermore, joining Denver’s division would be Wilson’s best chance at getting retribution.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Falcons and the Steelers are in a comparable situation. They don’t have a high draft selection that will probably be used on a quarterback like the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, or Patriots do. The Steelers may choose to go with an experienced signal-caller, but Pittsburgh may still utilize the No. 20 overall pick on a rookie.

It has been reported by former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson that Wilson is en route to Pittsburgh.

However, this squad appears to have a win-now (and undoubtedly veteran-heavy) defense, and in 2024, with new coordinator Arthur Smith in place, they will have the chance to reinvent an underperforming offense. and perhaps a seasoned quarterback such as Wilson. If nothing else, he has demonstrated that he can still be an effective game manager (26 TD passes, 98.0 passer rating in 2023) if not his vintage self.

“A little birdie told me — and I said this many shows ago — Russell Wilson’s coming on over there to the Steelers,” he said on Shannon Sharpe’s “Nightcap” podcast. “Cleveland has Deshaun [Watson], but the AFC’s gonna be hell. The AFC’s gonna be hell.”

Minnesota Vikings

Wilson is a reliable backup option in case Kirk Cousins is able to take a larger contract elsewhere, even if the Vikings would like to re-sign Cousins. The finest wide receiver in football, Justin Jefferson, is about to sign a big contract deal. The Vikings need to do every effort to get him to stay. It could only benefit the squad to have a seasoned, experienced quarterback on the roster.

Cousins is 35, just like Wilson. However, should “KFC” go, head coach Kevin O’Connell may find himself in need of a reliable, affordable veteran who can pass the ball to wide receiver Justin Jefferson while the Vikes look for or develop a long-term replacement.

Honourable mentions

Wilson might be targeted by the Falcons, Patriots, and Commanders, three more teams in need of a quarterback, but assistance seems to be on the way for each club.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields is strongly associated with Atlanta, while USC standout Caleb Williams is the top choice in the 2024 NFL Draft, attracting the attention of Chicago.

Rookie quarterbacks are reportedly the focus of Washington and New England, who want to choose second and third in the draft, respectively.

Though none of the three players are a step away from the Super Bowl, it’s feasible that those clubs see Wilson as a more reliable choice than starting over with a rookie quarterback.

The Buccaneers are another team to watch if they opt not to re-sign Baker Mayfield to a multi-year, bigger-money deal.

 

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