When the Denver Broncos acquired Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks in March 2022, it was expected to be a transformative move for the Broncos.
Wilson was supposed to turn the franchise around. He was supposed to lead the team back into Super Bowl contention. He was supposed to be, well, Russell Wilson.
That has not happened.
Wilson endured the worst season of his NFL career in his debut campaign in Denver, and while he has been significantly better in 2023, it has not been enough. His relationship with first-year head coach Sean Payton has soured, and even though Wilson has actually played some solid football, the stench of a horrific 2022 is still present.
Now, Wilson has been benched in favor of Jarrett Stidham, signaling the end of his nightmarish tenure in the Mile High City.
How does it mean this is the end of the road for Wilson? Well, just look at the circumstances surrounding his benching.
First and foremost, the Broncos are still in playoff contention. Yes, they are 7-8, and yes, a lot would need to happen for them to qualify for the postseason, but they have not been mathematically eliminated. It’s not like this is Week 8 and the team is 2-6. There are only two games left in the season. You couldn’t just let Wilson play it out and see if some magic could happen?
Second, it’s not like Denver has a young and talented quarterback behind Wilson. No disrespect to Stidham, but no one is confusing him for 2018 Lamar Jackson. He has been in the league since 2019 and has already played for three different teams. The chances of him developing into something significant seem rather slim.
Finally, Wilson signed a massive $245 million contract extension upon being traded to the Broncos. His deal runs through 2028. Why wouldn’t Denver play him knowing how much money it is paying him?
The Broncos can save some money by cutting Wilson during the offseason, so it seems like that is the direction they are going to take (unless they can find a suitable trade partner, which seems incredibly unlikely given Wilson’s contract).
Ironically enough, the Wilson trade happened right alongside of the Deshaun Watson deal, when the Houston Texans sent Watson to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns also gave up a king’s ransom for Watson, and, like the Broncos, they also handed Watson a gigantic contract. Of course, the difference is that Watson’s money is fully guaranteed (all $230 million of it), but that’s a story for another day.
What the Wilson and Watson trades do illustrate, however, is that the grass is not always greener. Quarterback trades do not always work out. Teams will likely view the Wilson and Watson as cautionary tales, and now, front offices may be less likely to part with a treasure trove of draft assets (while also doling out humongous contracts) in exchange for a veteran quarterback.
It’s hard to really pin down what exactly happened to Wilson. Perhaps Pete Carroll’s system was just perfect for him. Maybe he was never really able to connect with Broncos receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Or maybe, just maybe, he is 35 years old and isn’t quite the same player anymore.
Whatever the case may be, it is almost certain that the Russell Wilson era in Denver has come to a close, and what a forgettable era it has been.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
