Chris Harris Jr. on Blowback From Broncos Cutting Russell Wilson, "It's Probably a Three-Year Struggle"
The Denver Broncos are officially cutting QB Russell Wilson, and the entire situation has led to one of the worst trades in NFL history. It might even be the worst trade in professional sports history.
Wilson was acquired from the Seahawks for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, and QB Drew Lock. The Broncos also got a fourth-round pick on top of Wilson.
The worst part is now the team will eat $85 million in dead cap. Chris Harris Jr. discussed the trade and blowback on the cap hit on Let's Ride.
"Of course, when you make bad decisions like this, it's probably like a five-year, three-year struggle that comes after that. Right. And that's not good when you make these types of decisions. Right. Because you trade a lot of young pieces. Right. That could have been here for cheap...and we also let go of some guys for Russ. And when you see when you see the amount of dead cap, you know. Being able to split it up, I think that helps. And also the money going up, too, you know, that helps too...So they do get a little bit of cap relief. It's going to be hard for them."
via Chris Harris Jr., Let's Ride
Harris is correct in that the Broncos gave up multiple picks and players for Wilson, and he failed to meet expectations. Fant put up 414 yards and no TDs in 2023, but he is still producing. Harris is with the Browns and still a solid DL and Lock is still a viable backup QB.
The Seahawks came away with a good deal, and the Broncos will be feeling the blowback of this deal for some time. The Broncos need a QB but likely won't have the capital to land someone, even veteran QBs like Kirk Cousins.
"Kirk Cousins in the offseason, but it's going to be it's too hard...We would have to lose a lot of players right to be able to get Kirk Cousins. So I don't think that's going to be the direction they go. I really don't even think they get a veteran quarterback."
via Chris Harris Jr., Let's Ride
Harris indicates that Cousins could be an option, but it will be increasingly difficult based on the picks that the Broncos gave up. They are picking at #12 but might not be able to move up to take an elite prospect like Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels.
The Wilson issue will haunt them for a few years at least.
