When the 2023 season officially concludes, the Denver Broncos apparently intend to part ways with quarterback Russell Wilson, despite the significant financial loss the organization would incur.
Whether Wilson is on the team or not, Denver owes him $39 million, guaranteed in 2024. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that there might be a way for the Broncos to avoid paying the full $85 million in dead cap the team would otherwise have to absorb over the next two years ($35.4 million in 2024 and $49.6 million in 2025) if it designated Wilson as a post-June 1 reserve.
However, it will cost them, much like saying goodbye to the 35-year-old quarterback.
According to Fowler, “a seasoned NFL agent proposed the following idea: the Broncos could make trade offers to interested teams based on a sliding scale of draft compensation.” In the event that Team X consents to paying $25 million of the $39 million, the Broncos might include several mid-round picks. It resembles a more substantial Brock Osweiler move.
Naturally, Fowler is referring to the March 2017 trade that took place between the Texans and Browns, which transferred Osweiler from Houston to Cleveland in return for a second-round choice in 2018 and a 2017 sixth-round selection.
Wilson’s return to the Broncos for the upcoming season is still a possibility, but it seems like they’re looking at every option to let go of the former All-Pro signal caller with the least amount of financial harm to the team.
The $37 million in injury guarantees Wilson is due for the 2025 season, which begins on March 17, further complicates the situation. Wilson claims the Broncos threatened to bench him if he refused to pay the large sum of money during the season.
Any team that traded for Wilson would have to forfeit a sizeable portion of their selection pick compensation because they would be taking Wilson’s contract as is and would be responsible for the $37 million.
Not to add, Wilson has a no-trade provision that he has no reason to waive given the opportunity to choose his next team when he becomes a free agent rather than being restricted to whichever team selects.
