Ex-NFL QB Casts Doubt on Russell Wilson's Future
In the opening stages of the NFL offseason, the chatter continues to surround the Denver Broncos and what will end up happening with QB Russell Wilson. After a turbulent season under head coach Sean Payton in the Mile High, many have begun to speculate what will end up happening next with the 9x Pro Bowler.
While most have begun picking out a few destinations Wilson could end up landing, a former NFL quarterback doesn't see the process as that simple.
ESPN analyst and four-year NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck spoke during a segment of Get Up! on what the future could hold for the Broncos' signal caller. Ultimately, he expressed some doubts on if there's an open spot for him in the league moving forward:
"I think there is a chance Russell Wilson is out of football. I'm not sure that there is definitely a landing spot for him. He's older, I think it's fair to say that his game has diminished. I think in terms of the leadership component that you typically want from a veteran quarterback that comes in, I think it's fair to have questions about that."
If things hold up as expected, the Broncos are believed to soon cut Russell Wilson from the roster and sustain a hefty $85 million dead cap hit as a result. The goal for Coach Payton and Denver will be to find a new quarterback they can build a successful and sustainable offensive scheme around.
However, when trying to pin where Wilson lands next, it becomes a bit tricky to find a perfect spot. There are a few needy teams around the league who could utilize his services, but it's hard to picture Russ being any team's first choice.
Wilson ended his 2023 campaign with a 7-8 record as a starter, posting 3,070 total passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight picks. Payton managed to breathe some life into Russ from his abysmal 2022 season, but his production seems to have come up short of bringing him back to Denver for a third year.
If an opposing team wanted to bring some additional competition to their quarterback room this summer, Wilson could be a player to bring in and battle for a starting role in training camp. However, if teams instead decide to pivot toward younger and higher-upside candidates, it could leave Russ empty-handed once the 2024 season rolls around.
Stay posted on what happens until the looming March 17th date, which projects to be the latest date the Broncos can cut Wilson while avoiding paying an extra $30 million in guaranteed money.
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