QB Russell Wilson, PIT (3 Viewers)

[Stoneworker]

According to Brett Kollman, Wilson only had 18 total intermediate completions between the numbers in all of 2023 (15 games).

Jarrett Stidham had 6 intermediate completions between the numbers in the Raiders game alone. He also had 6 chunk pass plays of 20 yards or more (most in a game in 2023).

Russ is a great leader and has tremendous work ethic, but the inability to get WR's the ball in the middle of the field is mind-boggling and I can see why Payton was frustrated.

 

[Faust]

Broncos head coach Sean Payton: 'Final decision hasn't been made' on Russell Wilson

 

[Mitchie]

Broncos head coach Sean Payton: 'Final decision hasn't been made' on Russell Wilson

and if anyone believes that i have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale

 

[jumper]

Broncos head coach Sean Payton: 'Final decision hasn't been made' on Russell Wilson

and if anyone believes that i have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale

No, it makes perfect sense they haven't made a final decision yet. Of course that final decision is whether he's a post-June 1st cut or not. That matters since it's an $85mm dead money cap hit if no, and if yes the cap hits are $35.4 million in 2024 and $49.6 million in 2025. That's important to figure out for planning purposes, since the Broncos need to figure out who else they need to cut since the team is already over the 2024 salary cap by $17,993,257. Might actually make sense to just bench him all 2024 as an "emergency QB" since otherwise they'll need to sign someone as their QB3 and that costs cap money they don't have.

 

[Mitchie]

Broncos head coach Sean Payton: 'Final decision hasn't been made' on Russell Wilson

and if anyone believes that i have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale

No, it makes perfect sense they haven't made a final decision yet. Of course that final decision is whether he's a post-June 1st cut or not. That matters since it's an $85mm dead money cap hit if no, and if yes the cap hits are $35.4 million in 2024 and $49.6 million in 2025. That's important to figure out for planning purposes, since the Broncos need to figure out who else they need to cut since the team is already over the 2024 salary cap by $17,993,257. Might actually make sense to just bench him all 2024 as an "emergency QB" since otherwise they'll need to sign someone as their QB3 and that costs cap money they don't have.

The final decision was referring to his return to Denver. He will not be returning.

 

[Hankmoody]

The final decision was referring to his return to Denver. He will not be returning.

No, the final decision is who might be willing to pick up part of the tab. Denver can save $39M by trading him. I believe they will find a partner, that's not a ton of money for a QB and Russ is still better than 1/2 the donkeys starting out there. The sticking point in his contract, like it was for DEN, is probably that 2025 injury guarantee. DEN has no leverage to get him to rework it but a new team might. If Denver cuts him now Russ isn't going to get that guarantee on his next deal anyway, so he would be wise to use it to extract something else.

 

[Tau837]

Might actually make sense to just bench him all 2024 as an "emergency QB" since otherwise they'll need to sign someone as their QB3 and that costs cap money they don't have.

Can't do that unless they want to pay him a guaranteed $37M 2025 salary, which becomes guaranteed if Wilson is on the Denver roster on 3/17/24. Avoiding that guarantee is the whole reason he was benched, because it would have become guaranteed if he was injured seriously enough in 2023.

 

[Tau837]

The sticking point in his contract, like it was for DEN, is probably that 2025 injury guarantee.

The injury guarantee won't matter for any team that trades for him, because his 2025 salary becomes guaranteed if he is on a NFL roster on 3/17/24. Whether a trade occurred before or after that date, it will be guaranteed. He has an injury guarantee for $4M of his 2026 salary, but that isn't much of a deterrent for a potential trading partner.

 

[Hankmoody]

The sticking point in his contract, like it was for DEN, is probably that 2025 injury guarantee.

The injury guarantee won't matter for any team that trades for him, because his 2025 salary becomes guaranteed if he is on a NFL roster on 3/17/24. Whether a trade occurred before or after that date, it will be guaranteed. He has an injury guarantee for $4M of his 2026 salary, but that isn't much of a deterrent for a potential trading partner.

It's only guaranteed if a team trading for him doesn't adjust the deal first. Teams frequently allow the new team to discuss new contract terms with the player in the interest of making the trade happen. A team trading for him is more likely to be fine with it as you expect at least a two year commitment to the guy but they may not be with a guy his age.

 

[Stoneworker]

Wilson has a no-trade clause. Why on earth would he waive that to help the Broncos, narrow his destinations, and penalize his new team by making them give up draft picks?

Seems his best course of action is to force Denver to cut him and then effect a competitive bidding process on the open market with multiple teams.

 

[Tau837]

Wilson has a no-trade clause. Why on earth would he waive that to help the Broncos, narrow his destinations, and penalize his new team by making them give up draft picks?

Seems his best course of action is to force Denver to cut him and then effect a competitive bidding process on the open market with multiple teams.

The clause means he has approval over what team they might ultimately trade him to, and a trade means his current contract remains in effect. He might prefer that if he thinks he will get less on the open market.

 

[massraider]

No one is trading for that contract.

 

[Anarchy99]

The sticking point in his contract, like it was for DEN, is probably that 2025 injury guarantee.

The injury guarantee won't matter for any team that trades for him, because his 2025 salary becomes guaranteed if he is on a NFL roster on 3/17/24. Whether a trade occurred before or after that date, it will be guaranteed. He has an injury guarantee for $4M of his 2026 salary, but that isn't much of a deterrent for a potential trading partner.

It's only guaranteed if a team trading for him doesn't adjust the deal first. Teams frequently allow the new team to discuss new contract terms with the player in the interest of making the trade happen. A team trading for him is more likely to be fine with it as you expect at least a two year commitment to the guy but they may not be with a guy his age.

What would the incentive be for a team to trade for Wilson when everyone knows the Broncos are backed into a corner and will have to release him? Between the money they would have to pay him (guaranteed for two years) and the assets it would take to acquire him, not sure there would be a team willing to do it.

 

[Stoneworker]

No one is trading for that contract.

yes. that is my take as well. on top of whatever trade compensation (i.e. draft picks) might be involved.

 

[Hankmoody]

What would the incentive be for a team to trade for Wilson when everyone knows the Broncos are backed into a corner and will have to release him? Between the money they would have to pay him (guaranteed for two years) and the assets it would take to acquire him, not sure there would be a team willing to do it.

I'm not so sure it would take assets to get him. DEN may be willing to pull another Ossweiler and pay someone to take him on. A trade would reduce their dead hit by $39M. At a minimum they should take a bag of cheetos in trade just to clear the dead hit.

The contract isn't that bad for a team that believes in his talent and sees him as a clear upgrade either.

 

[Hankmoody]

Wilson has a no-trade clause. Why on earth would he waive that to help the Broncos, narrow his destinations, and penalize his new team by making them give up draft picks?

I don't believe this is accurate. His Seattle contract did, this one does not.

 

[Hankmoody]

No one is trading for that contract.

His contract is perfectly reasonable for a new team. $39M 2024, $37M in 2025, and a very easy out after that.

 

[Stoneworker]

Wilson has a no-trade clause. Why on earth would he waive that to help the Broncos, narrow his destinations, and penalize his new team by making them give up draft picks?

I don't believe this is accurate. His Seattle contract did, this one does not.

It is accurate.

 

[Hankmoody]

It is accurate.

Source please.

This isn't definitive, but Spotrac rarely misses these things:

Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Contract Notes:

• $124M fully guaranteed at signing (signing bonus + 2022 salary/roster bonus + 2023 salary/option bonus + 2024 salary/option bonus)
• $37M 2025 salary fully guarantees 3/17/2024 (injury guaranteed at sign)
• $4M of 2026 salary guaranteed for injury only
• 2023 Option Bonus: $20M (guaranteed, must be exercised 3/15/23 - 3/19/23)
• 2024 Option Bonus: $22M (guaranteed)
• 2027 Roster Bonus: $1M (5th league day of 2027

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Contract Notes:

• $75M guaranteed (2023 salary/roster bonus, 2024 salary/roster bonus)
• 2023-2024 Roster Bonuses Treated as Signing Bonus
• No Tag Provision
• Full No Trade Clause
• 2026-2028 years automatically void

 

[Stoneworker]

Source: Mike Florio, local beat writers, etc.

Wilson has a no-trade clause. And he has no reason to waive it. Why consent to an arrangement that results in his new team giving anything of value to the Broncos when Wilson can simply wait to be released and pick his destination?

Release, not trade, is the most likely outcome for Broncos and Russell Wilson

It's over for the Broncos and their franchise quarterback.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[Hankmoody]

If that's accurate (Florio is a clown) it certainly complicates things but it's not a deal-breaker. If Russ likes a potential trade partner, and DEN is willing/forced to actually give them something to take the contract (they should, that's a huge win for them) then it could still happen. Say PIT called DEN up and agreed to take him off their hands for a 6th rounder. Would Russ nuke that? Go to a playoff team with a gaping QB hole and weapons around him? There are a few teams like that.

 

[Tau837]

No one is trading for that contract.

His contract is perfectly reasonable for a new team. $39M 2024, $37M in 2025, and a very easy out after that.

If a team trades for him and pays him his 2024 option bonus, that gets amortized over 5 years. So his 2024 cap hit would be $17M salary + $4.4M amortized option bonus = $21.4M. His 2025 cap hit would be $37M salary + $4.4M option bonus = $41.4M. But that team could cut him after 2024 and owe just the remaining portion of the 2024 option bonus ($17.6M). More likely, if a team trades for him, it would attempt to rework his contract to avoid that huge jump from 2024 to 2025. But his cap hit in 2024 is very appealing in a trade scenario.

 

[Hankmoody]

No one is trading for that contract.

His contract is perfectly reasonable for a new team. $39M 2024, $37M in 2025, and a very easy out after that.

If a team trades for him and pays him his 2024 option bonus, that gets amortized over 5 years. So his 2024 cap hit would be $17M salary + $4.4M amortized option bonus = $21.4M. His 2025 cap hit would be $37M salary + $4.4M option bonus = $41.4M. But that team could cut him after 2024 and owe just the remaining portion of the 2024 option bonus ($17.6M). More likely, if a team trades for him, it would attempt to rework his contract to avoid that huge jump from 2024 to 2025. But his cap hit in 2024 is very appealing in a trade scenario.

So perfectly reasonable for a new team.

 

[Tau837]

No one is trading for that contract.

His contract is perfectly reasonable for a new team. $39M 2024, $37M in 2025, and a very easy out after that.

If a team trades for him and pays him his 2024 option bonus, that gets amortized over 5 years. So his 2024 cap hit would be $17M salary + $4.4M amortized option bonus = $21.4M. His 2025 cap hit would be $37M salary + $4.4M option bonus = $41.4M. But that team could cut him after 2024 and owe just the remaining portion of the 2024 option bonus ($17.6M). More likely, if a team trades for him, it would attempt to rework his contract to avoid that huge jump from 2024 to 2025. But his cap hit in 2024 is very appealing in a trade scenario.

So perfectly reasonable for a new team.

Even better for a new team would be to negotiate that Denver pay the option bonus and the new team takes on the salary. Saves Denver $17M in dead cap, and the salaries to the new team are $17M in 2024 and $37M for 2025... which the new team could adjust down by converting salary to a restructure bonus. In this situation, the new team gets him for 2 seasons below $25M and gets out whenever they want for minimal dead cap money.

 

[Hankmoody]

Even better for a new team would be to negotiate that Denver pay the option bonus and the new team takes on the salary. Saves Denver $17M in dead cap, and the salaries to the new team are $17M in 2024 and $37M for 2025... which the new team could adjust down by converting salary to a restructure bonus. In this situation, the new team gets him for 2 seasons below $25M and gets out whenever they want for minimal dead cap money.

Perhaps but that changes the leverage too. Depending on the team they might be willing to eat it all and get better trade terms. I was trying to show in simple terms that the contract isn't at all a concern for a team that values Wilson as a talent.

 

[Faust]

Russell Wilson landing spots: Ranking six potential team fits for nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback

 

[sm8680]

Steelers wouldn't want him. He's 35 his better days are behind him. Plus, there's stories over the years pertaining to how stuck up of a player he is. Gino made him irrelevant.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Steelers wouldn't want him. He's 35 his better days are behind him. Plus, there's stories over the years pertaining to how stuck up of a player he is. Gino made him irrelevant.

I mean, Chicago was on the list too. If Chicago somehow chooses to bring in Wilson, the entire front office should be replaced immediately.

 

[Drake Hater]

Pats would make sense. Dumpoffs to Rhamondre and long bombs to Douglas or Parker are within his skill set.

 

[jumper]

Pats would make sense. Dumpoffs to Rhamondre and long bombs to Douglas or Parker are within his skill set.

Not arguing the fit, but why would the Pats want him considering they have the 1.03 pick? Can't imagine they'd pass on a draft QB in favor of Russ Wilson of all folks.

If the Pats didn't want to "take the risk" of a rookie pick, then pay Kirk Cousins and draft MJH Jr with the 1.03.

If you draft QB at 1.03 and the team simply wants a "veteran mentor" to provide the appearance of competition, they could get that in a FA like Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Mitchie]

Pats are most likely going to miss out on Williams and Maye, drafting MHJ Jr and getting Russ on the cheap and if they can get Denver to pay some of the contract actually not a terrible plan.

 

[Faust]

Russell Wilson next team odds: Steelers new favorites to land Broncos QB

 

[massraider]

Russell Wilson next team odds: Steelers new favorites to land Broncos QB

 

[JohnnyU]

Russell Wilson next team odds: Steelers new favorites to land Broncos QB

Ottawa Rough Riders if they are still called that.

 

[Buckna]

Very minor tidbit but saw a news piece yesterday that he has put his Denver mansion up for sale.

 

[menobrown]

Very minor tidbit but saw a news piece yesterday that he has put his Denver mansion up for sale.

What got me when I read that was that his mansion he put up for sale when left Seattle is still on the market and is approaching two years.

 

[JohnnyU]

Very minor tidbit but saw a news piece yesterday that he has put his Denver mansion up for sale.

What got me when I read that was that his mansion he put up for sale when left Seattle is still on the market and is approaching two years.

Maybe he should consider renting on his next move.

 

[Buckna]

Very minor tidbit but saw a news piece yesterday that he has put his Denver mansion up for sale.

What got me when I read that was that his mansion he put up for sale when left Seattle is still on the market and is approaching two years.

Yeah, very bad time to be selling in general. From what I understand he bought his Denver place at the top of the market for $25MM, $10MM more than anyone else had ever paid for a home in Denver. Previous record was set by Mike Shanahan who sold his house in the same neighborhood for $15MM just 6 months before that. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t take a long while to sell!

 

[BobbyLayne]

Doesn’t know where he’ll land but says he wants to win 2 Super Bowls in the next 5 years.

Has gone 11-19 the past 2 years.

 

[Stoneworker]

At one point in the nearly 90-minute podcast, Marshall joked with Wilson about where he'd live if he stayed in Denver given a recent report that Wilson and his wife, Ciara, are showing their $25 million Cherry Hills mansion to potential buyers.

“It's not on the market right now,” Wilson said.

 

[Stoneworker]

Asked about Russell Wilson’s trade market, Broncos GM George Paton said he hasn’t been contacted by any teams.

https://twitter.com/JamesPalmerTV/status/1762514619556389292?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

 

[Stoneworker]

Sean Payton on a decision with Russell Wilson “I expect we’ll know within the next two weeks”

 

[Faust]

5 landing spots for Russell Wilson if the Broncos move on at QB

 

[The Duff Man]

Doesn’t know where he’ll land but says he wants to win 2 Super Bowls in the next 5 years.

Has gone 11-19 the past 2 years.

I am not sure what is more delusional. Wilson wanting to win 2 of the next 5 Superbowls or my wife thinking she will get to her goal weight

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Will be released this month, once the league year begins on March 13, according to the team

 

[-OZ-]

Doesn’t know where he’ll land but says he wants to win 2 Super Bowls in the next 5 years.

Has gone 11-19 the past 2 years.

I am not sure what is more delusional. Wilson wanting to win 2 of the next 5 Superbowls or my wife thinking she will get to her goal weight

He can back up Mahomes.

 

[osubuckeyeman]

Doesn’t know where he’ll land but says he wants to win 2 Super Bowls in the next 5 years.

Has gone 11-19 the past 2 years.

I am not sure what is more delusional. Wilson wanting to win 2 of the next 5 Superbowls or my wife thinking she will get to her goal weight

Oh brother you must feel safe on this message board. LOL

 

[Grahamburn]

I can't imagine paying someone that much money just to go away. Wow.

So, he can basically be picked up for the veteran minimum, right? Denver is on the hook to pay him like $39M this year. Anything he signs for gets taken out of that money.

 

[zamboni]

Raiders seem like a reasonable potential destination. Unclear QB situation and a chance to stick it to their hated divisional rivals.

 

[Mitchie]

I can't imagine paying someone that much money just to go away. Wow.

So, he can basically be picked up for the veteran minimum, right? Denver is on the hook to pay him like $39M this year. Anything he signs for gets taken out of that money.

they cut him to avoid paying 30 something million that was due for 2025 in a couple weeks

and yes 2nd sentence is correct