Report: QB likely to be let go released; Broncos bench Wilson for remainder of season to give offensive “spark.”

Report: QB likely to be let go released; Broncos bench Wilson for remainder of season to give offensive “spark.”

With the season coming to an end in 2023, the Broncos had a 7-8 record and a meager 1.4% chance of making the postseason after losing their game against the Patriots last Sunday, eliminating any realistic possibility of making the postseason. Russell Wilson, the quarterback, will now sit out the remaining two games.

CBS Sports HQ Senior NFL source Josina Anderson reports that the Broncos maintain their decision to switch to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham is not contract-related but rather aimed at injecting an offensive “spark” after a 1-3 run.

However, Wilson’s silence on his future in Denver after 2023 and the injuries he sustained in his final games would complicate the Broncos’ ability to release him if they choose to move on.

The head coach stated, “I can tell you for everything, look, we’re frantically trying to win,” according to Denver’s. “The main motivation behind this, and this is a choice I’m making, is to be an offensive spark plug.

Though it’s undoubtedly challenging and we all feel like, “Man, we didn’t do well enough,” one thing we noticed about Stidham—who we signed in the offseason—was that he was a person I was excited to see play, both in preseason and regular season games.

“If I didn’t feel like he gave us a chance to win, we weren’t going to make that move.” According to The Athletic, Wilson expects to be cut in March. According to The Athletic, Wilson was aware of his fate within the company for about two months.

In late October, the Broncos contacted Wilson’s agents to inquire whether he had postponed the 2025 injury guarantee trigger date, which guarantees $37 million on the fifth day of the league season.

With 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 98.0 passing rating at the end of Week 16, Wilson has clearly progressed since his wild 2022 Broncos debut. This is Wilson’s greatest quarterback rating in three years.

However, Denver’s offensive has underperformed, ranking No. 25 in yards per game and No. 16 in scoring.

The quarterback’s enormous $245 million contract, which will count $35.4 million against the salary cap in 2024, is another.

Wilson anticipates being released by the Denver Broncos in March, according to a report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic on Wednesday.

Wilson is said to have known for some time that the team would probably let him go at the end of this season.

Russini’s report was released shortly after the Broncos benched Wilson in favor of backup Jarrett Stidham.

With two weeks remaining in the regular campaign, the 7-8 Broncos—who have lost three of their past four games—have just an 8% chance of qualifying for the postseason, according to.

If Wilson remains with the team on March 17, 2024, he will also receive $37 million in injury guarantees for the 2025 season, in addition to his $39 million contract for the upcoming season.

Russini claims that despite the involvement of attorneys, including those from the NFLPA, the contract remained unchanged.

The Broncos would owe Wilson the injury guarantees if he failed his spring physical, as injured players cannot be dismissed. It’s challenging, without a doubt, and we all think, “Man, we didn’t do enough.”

Russini reported that Broncos personnel called Wilson in late October, warning him that if he did not postpone his injury guarantee trigger date, they would bench him and make him inactive for the rest of the season.

“I understand all the speculation and all the talk that surrounds a move like that, and I can tell you we’ll be desperately trying to win,” Payton stated.

“Yes, economics and all that are important in today’s game, but getting an attacking spark is the main motivation behind this, and it’s a choice I’m making.

However, one of the things we observed when we recruited Stidham in the summer was that he’s a player I’m excited to see play, not just on tape from preseason games but also from regular-season games. We wouldn’t be taking that action if I didn’t think he provided us a chance to prevail.”

According to Spotrac, Denver would be responsible for an incredible $85 million in dead-cap money for 2024 if Wilson were to be released before March 17.

If they released him with a designation made after June 1, the deal would include $35.4 million in lost money for 2024 and $49.6 million in dead pay for 2025.