Broncos Bench Russell Wilson; Falcons QB Option for 2024?
The Denver Broncos are signaling the end of the Russell Wilson era by benching him for the final two games of the season.
Wilson, 35, has struggled mightily in his two-year Broncos tenure and Denver is looking to save itself some financial burden should he get hurt in either of the final two games.
"Wilson has $37M in 2025 salary that vests in March of 2024, and if he suffered a serious injury, it would complicate matters," NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweeted.
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While this doesn't guarantee that the Broncos will move on from Wilson in the offseason and incur millions of dollars in dead money, the chances Denver says goodbye are certainly nonzero. And if he needs a new home, could the Atlanta Falcons provide one?
The Falcons are in quarterback limbo after Desmond Ridder has proven that he isn't the longterm answer in Atlanta. This means the Falcons can either find a quarterback in the draft (again) or target a veteran in free agency or the trade market.
If the Falcons were to trade for Wilson, the Broncos may be willing to give some draft compensation, but he is making so much money beyond his worth that it won't even make sense for Atlanta. In his age-40 season in 2028, Wilson will be due a base salary of $50 million. For a quarterback that's thrown for just over 3,000 yards, it's not worth it financially.
However, if the Broncos cut Wilson and take on the dead money, the Falcons may look to sign him for a cheaper deal. With 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, he's certainly better than the current options on the roster.
Atlanta is 7-8 going into the final two weeks of the season and sit just one game back in the NFC South standings. Out of the team's eight losses, four of them have come by five points or less. With an experienced quarterback like Wilson running the Falcons offense, Atlanta could make improvements in 2024.
