The Russell Wilson tenure in Denver has come to an abrupt end after only two seasons, with the Broncos informing the veteran quarterback of their decision to release him following the start of the new league year on March 13.
In a joint statement, General Manager George Paton and Coach Sean Payton expressed gratitude for Wilson’s contributions while emphasizing their commitment to building a strong team for the upcoming season and beyond through the draft and free agency.
Wilson, in a lengthy statement, thanked the city of Denver and expressed excitement for the future, notably omitting mention of the Broncos’ GM or coach.
Parting ways with Wilson will cost the Broncos $39 million, but they’ll avoid a $37 million guaranteed trigger for the 2025 season. However, Denver will incur a total dead salary cap hit of $85 million over the next two years, marking the largest dead cap hit in NFL history.
Despite Wilson’s recent expressions of hope to remain in Denver, the writing was on the wall, especially after he was benched in favor of Jarrett Stidham late in the 2023 season.
Acquired in a blockbuster trade from Seattle in the 2022 offseason, Wilson’s tenure in Denver was marred by disappointment. He struggled under Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett, who was subsequently fired after a dismal start to the season. Wilson’s performance only marginally improved under Coach Payton.
During his time with the Broncos, Wilson played 30 games, posting an 11-19 record while completing 63.3% of his passes for 6,594 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. However, Denver’s offense remained lackluster, ranking among the bottom teams in scoring and total yards.
With Wilson’s departure, the Broncos will rely on Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci, and their limited starting experience at quarterback. They also possess the 12th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, which could be used to acquire a top quarterback prospect.
Despite the setbacks in Denver, Wilson, entering his 13th season in the NFL, remains confident in his abilities and looks ahead to the next chapter of his career beyond the Mile High City.