It was a head-scratching move for the Denver Broncos to bench Russell Wilson ahead of the team’s Week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Even though Wilson turned his play in a 180-degree angle from the 2022 season, it seemed as if head coach Sean Peyton was completely done with the Wilson era in Denver.
That it was.
Denver Broncos Release Russell Wilson and It’s Ugly
Though Wilson went 297 for 447 (66.44%) on passes for 3,070 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions, along with 80 carries for 341 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, it was announced that he would be released on Monday.
Wilson signed a five-year, $242,588,236 contract following his trade from the Seattle Seahawks to the Broncos. He received a $50 million signing bonus, along with an average salary of $48,517,647. His total guarantees over the life of the contract was $161 million.
Oh yeah, not to mention, the Seahawks traded Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick for a haul from the Broncos. Seattle received quarterback Drew Lock, defensive tackle Shelby Harris, tight end Noah Fant, a 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, 2022 fifth-round pick, 2023 first-round pick, and a 2023 second-round pick.
Lock is still backing up Geno Smith. Harris now suits up for the Cleveland Browns. And the respective picks became offensive tackle Charles Cross, outside linebackers Boye Mafe and Tyreke Smith, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and edge rusher Derick Hall.
To add insult to injury, the Broncos have $85 million in dead cap from the move to cut Wilson.
NFL World Reacts to End of the Russell Wilson Era in Denver
NFL Network’s Peter Schrager is high on Russell Wilson’s value going forward.
“I think he’s actually an attractive free agent quarterback…”
Other fans weren’t so impressed with Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos.
Thomas Carrieri made fun of the “Broncos Country, let’s ride” quote from Wilson with a video of a biker crashing.
“Russell Wilson: “Broncos Country, Let’s Ride!” The Ride…”
Unexpected Points’ Kevin Cole is another person who believes that Wilson will have a stronger market than many think.
“Put me in the camp who thinks that Russell Wilson at the league minimum will have a stronger market than most think* *At least according to twitter takes that revel in the negative.”
Robert Griffin III doesn’t think that Wilson is completely cooked, either. On ESPN’s Get Up, Griffin said that he believes Wilson is among the 20 best quarterbacks in the NFL.
“Bottom line is Russell Wilson is a starting quarterback in the NFL,” Griffin said. “He’s easily a top 20 quarterback in the NFL.”
KEEP READING: Russell Wilson Landing Spots
Some have even discussed the amount of money that Wilson has left on his contract to be paid. Fantasy Life tweeted: “Russell Wilson waiting for his remaining $39 million,” with a picture captioned, “Great, I don’t have to go to work tomorrow.”
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