Denver Broncos Release Russell Wilson, Allowing Him to Begin NFL Free Agency Early
The Denver Broncos made a surprising move on Monday, announcing that they will release veteran quarterback Russell Wilson after the start of the new league year on March 13. However, what sets this release apart is that the Broncos have given Wilson permission to immediately begin talking with prospective teams, essentially making him a free agent as of Monday evening. This move by the Broncos gives Wilson a head start on NFL free agency, allowing him to explore his options and potentially find a new team before the official start of the signing period.
The NFL free agency signing period coincides with the start of the new league year, which begins on March 13 after 4 p.m. ET. However, with the Broncos granting Wilson early release, he can now engage in discussions with other teams even before the official start of free agency. This gives Wilson an advantage in finding a new team and allows him to weigh his options carefully.
The decision to release Wilson comes just before his 2025 salary was set to become fully guaranteed. The Broncos signed Wilson to a massive five-year, $242.6 million contract in March 2022, hoping he would be their franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, the partnership did not live up to expectations, as the Broncos endured two disappointing seasons with Wilson under center.
The failed experiment with Wilson will come at a cost for the Broncos. They will now have to take on $85 million in dead cap charges over the next two years, making it the largest dead cap hit in league history. This financial burden is a consequence of the blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks that brought Wilson to Denver. The trade involved five draft picks, including two first-rounders, and three players. It was a high-risk move that ultimately did not pay off for the Broncos.
While it remains uncertain where Wilson will take his talents next, one thing is clear: it won’t be Pittsburgh. The Steelers, who are still in search of a franchise quarterback following the end of the Ben Roethlisberger era, have shown no interest in acquiring the Super Bowl champion quarterback.
The writing was on the wall for Wilson’s departure from the Broncos long before it became official. His relationship with first-year head coach Sean Payton deteriorated, leading to Wilson being benched for the final two games of the season. Despite leading the team to a 5-12 record in his first year and improving to 8-9 last season, it was not enough to save his job.
In a joint statement, Broncos general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton thanked Wilson for his contributions and dedication to the team and community. They expressed their focus on building the strongest team possible for the upcoming season and beyond, with plans to improve through the draft and free agency.
In a farewell letter to Denver, Wilson expressed his gratitude to the Mile High City, the fans, and his teammates. He ended his message with an optimistic outlook, stating, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. God’s got me. I am excited for what’s next.”
During his two seasons with the Broncos, Wilson accumulated 6,594 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions across 30 games played. However, his record as a starter was 11-19, falling short of expectations.
As Russell Wilson embarks on his NFL free agency journey, all eyes will be on where he chooses to continue his career. With his release from the Denver Broncos, Wilson now has the opportunity to explore his options and find a new team that can reignite his success on the football field. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be filled with speculation and anticipation as teams vie for the chance to secure the services of this talented quarterback.
