Broncos to release Russell Wilson, altering QB market before free agency

August 14, 2024

The Denver Broncos are releasing quarterback Russell Wilson, ending their increasingly tempestuous pairing after two seasons and making the nine-time Pro Bowl selection available to other NFL teams next week as a free agent.

The Broncos informed Wilson of the move Monday, according to a person familiar with the deliberations. The team later confirmed the decision, saying it will become official next week after the start of the new league year, which marks the opening of free agency and the resumption of trade activity.

“We spoke with Russell Wilson today to inform him of his release after the start of the league year,” the Broncos wrote in a statement attributed to General Manager George Paton and Coach Sean Payton. “On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career.”

The Broncos benched Wilson with two games remaining in the 2023 season. According to Wilson and the NFL Players Association, the team had threatened in October to bench him for the remainder of the season if he did not agree to adjust his contract and address an injury guarantee tied to a $37 million offseason payment.

Lloyd Howell, the NFLPA’s executive director, said during Super Bowl week that the union believed the Broncos “mistreated” Wilson. The NFLPA told the Broncos and the NFL’s management council in a Nov. 4 letter from attorney Jeffrey Kessler that the team’s threat to bench Wilson if he did not agree to adjust his contract was illegal and violated the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, creating the possibility the union would initiate an arbitration proceeding or litigation against the team and the league.

Howell declined to specify what steps the NFLPA had taken, if any, to follow up on the letter.

Wilson thanked “Broncos Country” in a statement posted Monday to social media.

“Over these last two years, you have welcomed my family and me with open arms and have embraced us as members of the Denver community,” Wilson wrote. “This city will always hold a special place in my heart. Our family grew here, we made countless memories and friendships, and formed relationships that will last a lifetime.”

Wilson expressed his gratitude to Broncos players, other members of the organization and cafeteria workers. He did not mention the team’s ownership, Paton or Payton.

“To my teammates, thank you for going to battle together and for being there through it all,” Wilson wrote. “There are so many moments I cherish because of you and I am blessed for the impact you have made on my life. I am beyond grateful for all of you and to have been able to run out as your teammate was an honor.”

Wilson’s contract will count about $85 million against the Broncos’ salary cap, although the team could spread that amount over more than one season. The Broncos avoid paying Wilson the $37 million payment that would have become fully guaranteed later this month. It was guaranteed only against injury.

The NFL salary cap will increase to $255.4 million per team next season. The record $30.6 million-per-team jump will make the Broncos’ move with Wilson slightly more manageable from a salary cap perspective.

The Broncos possess the 12th pick in April’s draft and could use it to select Wilson’s replacement. If they opt for a veteran quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield could be available next week as unrestricted free agents. The Chicago Bears could trade Justin Fields if they opt to retain the top choice in the draft.

Jarrett Stidham started the Broncos’ final two games last season in place of Wilson. They finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs in Payton’s first season as the team’s coach.

“As we move forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond,” the Broncos said in their statement Monday. “We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”

Paton said last week at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis that the Broncos had “moved forward” from the issues involving Wilson’s contract, adding: “Everything we did was above board.”

Wilson, 35, was the NFL’s eighth-rated passer this season. He will seek his third NFL team after 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and two with the Broncos. He reached two Super Bowls with the Seahawks, winning one of them, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in all but one of his seasons in Seattle.

The Broncos traded for Wilson in March 2022 by sending a package of players and draft choices — including two first-round picks — to the Seahawks. Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million extension with the Broncos that September. That deal was to run through the 2028 season.

Instead, Wilson moves on, and the Broncos will have to pay him $39 million for next season (minus any salary amount from a prospective new team). The list of quarterback-needy teams includes the Atlanta Falcons, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Washington Commanders, the New England Patriots and perhaps the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. The Vikings and Buccaneers could join that list once the reshuffling begins next week.

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