Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos had every opportunity Sunday night to come out on top against the New England Patriots and remain very much alive in the AFC Playoff race.
Instead, Denver allowed the previously three-win Patriots to score 20 points in the third quarter. After a valiant comeback effort, the Broncos fell in front of their home crowd following a last-season field goal by New England.
It was an absolutely brutal loss for Wilson and his Broncos. They are now 7-8 on the season and one game behind four other teams for the final playoff spot in the AFC.
Denver started the season with a 1-5 record before winning five consecutive. The team has now lost three of four to pretty much fall out of the running.
The backdrop here is Wilson’s questionable future with the team as Denver figures out what to do with the Super Bowl winner’s bloated contract.
Wilson was asked about this following Sunday night’s loss. His response didn’t really offer up much in terms of substance.
“I’m just worried about next week and playing great football. I came here to win and win a championship for us and to find a way to do that. I obviously love being here with these guys, these teammates. I’m excited to keep playing ball and playing hard for us.”
Russell Wilson on his future with the Denver Broncos
Wilson, 35, has played much better this season than during his debut campaign with the Broncos. However, his future in Mile High is more tied to a huge contract than any on-field performance for a team that has not earned a playoff spot since back in 2015.
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Russell Wilson contract, future with the Denver Broncos
Wilson is playing under a five-year, $242.59 million contract he signed with Denver after the team acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the 2022 season.
Said contract calls for a $35 million cap hit in 2024 with the number increasing to $55.4 million in 2025. It’s in this that Denver has a significant decision to make.
Trading or releasing Wilson ahead of June 1 would result in a whopping $72 million cap charge for the 2024 season. Releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would limit the cap charge to $35.4 million. However, it would also create a $53.6 million dead cap hit in 2025.
Letting Wilson play out the next two seasons would theoretically cost the Broncos north of $90 million. Cutting ties altogether would save $18 million in comparison.
- Russell Wilson stats (2023): 66% completion, 3,070 yards, 29 total TD, 8 INT, 98.0 QB rating
Wilson has turned it around in his second season with the Broncos. It was back in 2022 that the future Hall of Famer threw just 16 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
The acquisition of head coach Sean Payton in a trade with the New Orleans Saints has played a role in this turnaround.
The question here is whether Payton believes Wilson should be the man to lead the franchise moving forward. If not, we certainly envision a scenario where the Broncos cut ties with the embattled veteran.