On Monday, the Broncos announced that, as expected, they would be moving on from quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson responded by saying (among other things), “Hard times don't last. Tough guys do.”
Yes, it's going to be a tough year for Wilson. He will earn $39 million in football earnings.
It was part of the largest contract the Broncos offered him after the 2022 trade and before he played a game for the team. The deal includes $124 million, fully guaranteed at signing. That happened after the Broncos gave the Seahawks a huge reward in exchange for a trade.
His contract was also structured to allow the Broncos to hit the market early, with a $37 million salary in 2025 fully guaranteed in 12 days.
The Broncos wanted to make it work. They don't want to pay $39 million (less whatever he gets elsewhere) to not play for them. They don't want to eat $85 million in cap fees over the next two years.
It is not personal. This is business. It's still good business for Wilson.
$124 million over two years in Denver. He gets a shot in unrestricted free agency. He has to choose his next team. If he's still a great player, he'll have a chance to prove the Broncos were wrong to walk away from him.
The glass is half full. More than half full. At a time when millions are going through tough times, Russ is really cooking. Don't feel bad for him. As bad as his contract was for the Broncos, it was good for Russ.
