Although Russell Wilson might still start for the Denver Broncos next season, head coach Sean Payton has not ruled it out. However, it does not appear that many in the NFL are believing it.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, “virtually no one around the league” thinks the Broncos want to keep Wilson, according to a column he authored on Saturday. Due to Wilson’s enormous contract, Fowler stated that trading him will be “an arduous task” for Denver. However, it is anticipated that Wilson will be released by the Broncos, either through trade or free agency.
With two games left in the regular season, Wilson was benched by the Broncos, making it rather obvious that they had given up on him. Even though Payton said it was a football decision, starting Jarrett Stidham over Wilson ensured that the injury guarantee in Wilson’s contract did not trigger. If they cut him, they will still suffer a significant financial loss.
In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, Payton stated that the Broncos needed to assess if they could improve at quarterback through free agency or the draft. Even though the coach has given Wilson permission to come back, Wilson might already be making preparations for a new beginning somewhere else.
In his debut season under Payton, Wilson finished with 3,076 yards, 26 touchdown passes, and eight interceptions. Although the outcomes were far better than the previous season, it is clear that the Broncos did not think they were good enough.