Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
A new report offers up two ways Russell Wilson could get some very sweet revenge on the Denver Broncos for how they handled his benching in the final weeks of this season.
The Broncos benching Rusell Wilson for the final two weeks of the season to avoid a massive $37 million guarantee in his contract was one of the biggest surprises around the league over the last few weeks. Especially since Denver still had an outside chance of reaching the playoffs heading into Week 17.
Related: Surprising new report on Russell Wilson and his future with the Denver Broncos
While the decision was understandable, it was just a new layer to what has been a disappointing marriage between the franchise and the future Hall-of-Famer. When the Broncos traded for the Seattle Seahawks great before the 2022 season, there was hope he could make them a serious Super Bowl contender. However, the nine-time Pro Bowler has been a shell of his former self in the Mile High City.
Now with his future in doubt after being benched last week there has been a lot of speculation about how the organization could bring his time with the team to an end. There are many payroll implications for them based on when they choose to release him, and the trade market for the veteran quarterback is at a new low. Especially when factoring in the money left on his five-year and $242 million contract.
Whatever way the Denver Broncos choose to proceed will be a difficult route, however, a new report suggests Wilson has ways to make it even harder on the franchise. On Tuesday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler gave an update on the situation and explained how the amount of money Wilson gets from another team could have huge implications on Denver’s payroll.
“Once presumably released before the fifth day of the new league year, Wilson could sign somewhere for the veteran minimum, effectively sticking Denver with all but $1 million of a $39 million bill of guarantees baked into 2024,” Fowler wrote. “Perhaps interest from several teams or the chance at a multiyear deal changes the equation, but the $39 million offsets from what he signs with a new club.
“And as several league execs pointed out to me, Wilson won’t command anything close to that $39 million from a new team, so it might not matter much what he actually signs for when he finds a new franchise. Plus, agreeing to a low salary would help his new team build the roster around him.”
Those possibilites could lead the Broncos to try even more to trade the quarterback, but that could also be very costly, especially when it comes to how petty Russell Wilson would want to be in getting a deal done.
“The Broncos could offer a trade to prospective teams on a sliding scale of draft compensation,” Fowler reported. “For example, if Team X agrees to pay $25 million of the $39 million, the Broncos would perhaps throw in multiple midround picks.
“After a messy exit, would Wilson — who has a no-trade clause and the chance to be a free agent for the first time in his career — be inclined to help the Broncos by approving a deal? I’ve talked to several people who believe he likely wouldn’t do Denver any favors.”