The Russell Wilson epoch for the Denver Broncos is over.
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Monday, nine days before the NFL league year is set to begin, the Broncos released Wilson following two colossally disappointing seasons in the Mile High City. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport shared the news via X.
Sources: The #Broncos are moving on from QB Russell Wilson, closing a tough chapter for the team and allowing coach Sean Payton and Wilson to start fresh.
Wilson is available for a team needing a starter. Denver avoids an extra $37M fully guaranteed now. pic.twitter.com/6rBis2Cw1w
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2024
Since trading two first-round picks, two second-round picks, one fifth-round selection, quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive tackle Shelby Harris to the Seattle Seahawks, the Broncos are moving on.
Wilson passed for 6,594 yards with 42 passing touchdowns with 19 interceptions across two seasons in Denver and was benched for the final two games of the 2023 season, marking an unofficial end to his tenure with the Broncos.
Denver sat Wilson down the stretch, rather than risking the quarterback suffering an injury that would trigger a $37 million injury guarantee for the 2024 season. That money would have triggered, had Wilson been on the roster on March 17.
Even after releasing Wilson, the Broncos will still absorb a massive $84 million dead-money charge.
There had been some hope that new head coach Sean Payton would revitalize Wilson's career, after all, Payton was instrumental in Drew Brees developing into a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback.
"Wilson has been incredibly impressive," Broncos fullback Mike Burton told FanBuzz prior to the 2024 season. "His detail-oriented work ethic is second to none. The guy loves the game, loves being around his teammates. He's done it for a decade at a high level.
However, a Wilson turnaround never materialized.
In 2023, Wilson completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Prior to arriving in Denver, Wilson was a face of the Seahawks' franchise, delivering a Super Bowl championship to Seattle, where he tossed 292 touchdowns to just 87 interceptions across 10 seasons.
Wilson's departure closes the book on a puzzling misallocation of resources for the Broncos, who signed the 34-year-old to a five-year contract worth $245 million, which included $165 million fully guaranteed before he even took a snap in a Denver uniform.
