The Denver Broncos lost a tough one against the New England Patriots and questions about the future of Russell Wilson immediately overshadowed the fact that the team had been eliminated from the playoffs with two games to go.
Well, that is because the former MVP's status with the Broncos has been under intense scrutiny since his below-average 2022 season for his current team.
NFL-dedicated websites, Broncos fan pages, pundits, and analysts are on stand-by on how far the 35-year-old can take his team as a high-profile signing in 2022.
He is being put under the microscope and that is warranted given his caliber as a member of the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 to 2021 and the contract he signed.
The honeymoon stage is over for him and looks like the marriage with the Broncos did not yield good fruits again.
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Wilson himself is aware of the talks surrounding his time with the Broncos.
"I'm just worried about next week and playing great football," he told reporters after the loss to the Patriots.
"I came here to win and win a championship for us and to find a way to do that. I obviously love being here with these guys, these teammates. I'm excited to keep playing ball and playing hard for us."
The desire is there although that is not enough especially for a franchise like the Denver Broncos. Wilson should stay and here are three main reasons why:
1. He can still be a leader
Coach Sean Payton was vocal about the improvements the team has made under the leadership of Wilson in the last two months.
The Patriots loss was hard to swallow but Wilson should not be the sole scapegoat for that. They were buried in the second half of the game. Wilson threw for just 84 yards but then he was also the reason why they were able to come back in the game and outscore the opponents 16-4.
Wilson showed glimpses of the good old days under the system of Payton. Against the Cleveland Browns, a good passing defense team, he had 123 total DYAR, with 117 passing DYAR.
Teammates are also backing him up and that is huge for a team that wants to win now. They are already building something and they can't go back to the beginning if they want to continue contending for the title.
2. Financial and squad ramifications
Another reason why they should not let go of Wilson is the financial ramifications. They could lose around $46 million if the team releases the nine-time Pro Bowl. They will have a dead cap which will be the largest in NFL history. This means limited movements in the off-season.
He received $57 million in 2022 and $28 million in 2023 and according to Spotrac, the team is already $19.1 million over the 2024 salary cap. He also has a $17 million salary and $22 million bonus guaranteed so that means more money going away without something in return if he is let go.
If the Broncos decide to release their main star and endure the hit of the dead cap, that means they will have to release their veterans and sign minimum players instead. This would derail their performance on the field.
The dream of contending will be nearly impossible next season.
3. Sean Payton-Russell Wilson relationship just started
Payton joined the team at the start of the season and there is an obvious disconnect between him and Wilson in terms of the system they want to use. At times, they were thriving together but overall, their partnership leaves a lot to be desired.
Wilson is the type of QB who adjusts his offense based on the situation on the ground. Payton, meanwhile, is the type of coach who put a premium on the timing of his system. Still, the pair try to find a middle ground on their difference.
Payton and Wilson can make it work. If the Broncos will be able to sign good supporting players that complement Wilson's game, then they can fix things and that contract will be worth it.
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