27 February 2024 , 01:00
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Russell Wilson might have to accept a dramatic pay cut to keep his NFL career going.
The Denver Broncos are expected to release him in the coming weeks. Wilson's time in Denver has been far from successful, as he hasn't been able to show the same game-winning skills that earned him nine Pro Bowl selections with the Seattle Seahawks.
After a big trade in 2022, the former Super Bowl champion signed a five-year, $242million (£190.6m) contract with the Broncos. But he hasn't lived up to expectations and head coach Sean Payton has run out of patience - with a new quarterback incoming.
In 2023, Wilson did better than in his first poor year at Mile High Stadium. But it wasn't enough to stop him from being benched for the last two games of the season. Jarrett Stidham, who's spent most of his NFL career as a back up, took Wilson's place.
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It came out later that the Broncos had asked Wilson to give up an injury guarantee clause in his contract before they decided to bench him. But Wilson said no.
It looks like Wilson's time in Denver will be over around the start of the new league year on March 13. The Broncos are expected to release him and take on the cost of his $39m (£30.7m) guaranteed salary for 2024. If Wilson is still on the roster on March 17, his 2025 salary of $37m (£29.1m) becomes fully guaranteed.
Wilson has put his Cherry Hills Village mansion up for sale. He and his pop star wife Ciara bought the home two years ago, breaking the record for the priciest house sale in Denver.
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Wilson could sign for the league minimum just two years after inking one of the biggest contracts in NFL history (Getty Images)Even though Wilson's best playing days might be behind him, he still has a place in the NFL. Many teams want a veteran quarterback, and his contract situation makes him a cheap option. He will get the money the Broncos owe him no matter where he plays.
Jeremy Fowler, an ESPN reporter, told SportsCenter that there is a market for Wilson's skills. He would be willing to sign for the minimum league salary if he finds the right team. The NFL's minimum wage for a veteran with 10 or more years of experience is £1.2m.
“Everybody I’ve talked to around the league expects the Denver Broncos at some point around the new league year in the next few weeks to rip the Band-Aid off and release Russell Wilson even though they owe him $39 million in guaranteed money,” Fowler said.
“But they can start new, he can go sign somewhere else. The feeling is he’ll sign for considerably less, maybe even the league minimum, because he’s got all that money in hand guaranteed. And so, he’s going to have options. The feeling I get from talking to teams and scouts is that he’s still an NFL starter, there will be a job somewhere for him.”
In 2023, Wilson had a record of 7-8 as a starter, throwing 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.
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