Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was one of the most fearsome signal-callers in the league during his prime, having won one Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks during the 2013 season.
Drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 75th overall pick, Wilson quickly made a name for himself. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 215 pounds, his stature defied the traditional quarterback mold, yet his performance spoke volumes.
Wilson earned Pro Bowl honors nine times throughout his career and was distinguished as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2020. He also topped the league in passer rating in 2015 and led in passing touchdowns in 2017.
After a decade-long tenure with the Seahawks, Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos, along with a fourth-round pick. In return, the Seahawks received a bounty: two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant.
Despite the blockbuster trade, both the Broncos and Wilson have yet to see the anticipated benefits, and there are now swirling rumors of a potential release.
Let's look at Russell Wilson's contract and the fate of his pact if a potential release would happen.
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Russell Wilson's Contract: $245 million
Ahead of the 2022 NFL season, Wilson signed a five-year contract extension worth $245 million, with $165 million in guaranteed money. The new pact will be effective from 2024 to 2028, keeping him in Denver for seven years after the agreement was finalized.
Wilson's current valid contract is an extension signed with the Seahawks in 2019, worth $140 million over four years, which made him the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time of its signing.
What will happen to Russell Wilson's contract if he is released?
Wilson's transition to Denver hasn't yielded the desired results for the franchise. With a record of 11-19 in games where he was the starting quarterback over the past two seasons, the team's performance has fallen short of expectations.
There is growing sentiment within the Broncos organization to part ways with him and explore other options at the quarterback position.
If Wilson does indeed depart the Broncos before the 2024 season, he would still receive his guaranteed $39 million salary for that year.
If the one-time Super Bowl winner were to be released before March 17, the Broncos would incur an $85 million dead cap charge for the 2024 season, with $39 million in actual cash given to Wilson.
Alternatively, designating him as a post-June 1 release would spread out the financial implications. In this scenario, the team would face a $35.4 million cap hit in 2024, again with $39 million in cash.
However, an additional dead cap hit of $49.6 million would affect the 2025 season. Either way, the damage to the Broncos would cost $85 million.
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