Russell Wilson may have to accept a significant pay cut to keep his NFL career continuing.
The Denver Broncos intend to release him in the coming weeks. Wilson’s tenure in Denver has been far from successful, as he hasn’t demonstrated the same game-winning ability that earned him nine Pro Bowl honors with the Seattle Seahawks.
Following a major trade in 2022, the former Super Bowl champion signed a five-year contract worth $242 million (£190.6 million) with the Broncos. But he hasn’t lived up to expectations, and head coach Sean Payton has run out of patience with a new quarterback on the way.
Wilson performed better in 2023 than he did in his first bad season at Mile High Stadium. However, it was insufficient to prevent him from being benched for the season’s final two games. Jarrett Stidham, who has spent much of his NFL career as a backup, replaced Wilson.
It came out later that the Broncos had asked Wilson to give up an injury guarantee clause in his contract before they decided to bench him. But Wilson said no.
It looks like Wilson’s time in Denver will be over around the start of the new league year on March 13. The Broncos are expected to release him and take on the cost of his $39m (£30.7m) guaranteed salary for 2024. If Wilson is still on the roster on March 17, his 2025 salary of $37m (£29.1m) becomes fully guaranteed.
Wilson has put his Cherry Hills Village mansion up for sale. He and his pop star wife Ciara bought the home two years ago, breaking the record for the priciest house sale in Denver.
Even though Wilson’s best playing days might be behind him, he still has a place in the NFL. Many teams want a veteran quarterback, and his contract situation makes him a cheap option. He will get the money the Broncos owe him no matter where he plays.
Jeremy Fowler, an ESPN reporter, told SportsCenter that there is a market for Wilson’s skills. He would be willing to sign for the minimum league salary if he finds the right team. The NFL’s minimum wage for a veteran with 10 or more years of experience is £1.2m.
“Everybody I’ve talked to around the league expects the Denver Broncos at some point around the new league year in the next few weeks to rip the Band-Aid off and release Russell Wilson even though they owe him $39 million in guaranteed money,” Fowler said.
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