Some Hollywood director is already thinking up a Russell Wilson biopic for when the Super Bowl-winning quarterback concludes what has been a largely brilliant career.
The last chapter in said biopic might end up turning out to be sad. Wilson, 35, was released earlier in the month after two ho-hum seasons with the Denver Broncos. His release came after head coach Sean Payton benched the nine-time Pro Bowler late in the 2023 campaign. It also created a record dead cap hit for the Broncos, suggesting that they really wanted to move on from Wilson.
There was no trade market for Wilson ahead of his release. This made sense given that he was playing under a five-year, $242.5 million contract.
Most figured interest would heat up with Wilson on the NFL free agent market and potentially willing to take a veteran minimum deal. After all, he is already set to be paid well over $30 million by the Broncos next season. Alas, it’s not to be.
Related: 5 ideal Russell Wilson landing spots in NFL free agency
Teams quiet as it relates to interest in Russell Wilson
James Palmer of NFL Media shared this rather interesting and depressing nugget as it relates to interest in Wilson on the free agent market.
“I spoke to multiple quarterback-needy teams today. And all of them told me right now that Russell Wilson is not an option in terms of the things they are looking at to fill their opening,” report on lack of interest in Wilson.
It’s interesting in that Wilson has already been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders since he hit the open market. That doesn’t necessarily seem to be in the cards right now.
- Russell Wilson stats (2023): 66.4% completion, 3,070 yards, 26 TD, 8 INT
Wilson did put up good statistical numbers before Payton opted to bench him for financial reasons. That came after a down initial 2022 season with Denver (16 TD, 11 INT).
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2024
It’s crazy how the narrative has changed surrounding Wilson since he starred for the Seattle Seahawks from 2012-21. That span saw him throw 292 touchdowns with 87 interceptions while leading Seattle to two conference championships and a Super Bowl title.
It now appears that Wilson might have to wait out free agency and the NFL Draft to latch on with a team. What a time we are living in.