Broncos Finally Wake Up From Their Biggest Nightmare
The Denver Broncos made a franchise-changing move in March 2022 by trading for superstar duel-threat quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks. In that trade, the team shipped off quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, tight end Noah Fant, two first-round picks, two second-round choices, and a fifth-round pick. After only two seasons in orange, Russell Wilson will find a new home in 2024.
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Russell Wilson Is Officially Out In Denver
When the Broncos traded for Wilson, they instantly appeared to become Super Bowl contenders. They were regarded as a team that was a quarterback away from competing. After the trade, Denver gave Wilson a five-year 245 million dollar extension with hopes that he would lead the team to the glory land. After finishing 5-12 in his first season in the Mile High, the team traded for former Saints coach Sean Payton and upgraded the offensive line.
That would prove insufficient as the Broncos finished 8-9 and missed the postseason again. After spending 11-19 with Wilson under center, the Broncos have released the 35-year-old, taking up 85 million dollars in dead cap space. Fortunately, the team will save 37 million in cap space in 2025, but fixing the team and deciding what the future will look like will be a rocky situation.
What Does Denver Do Now At Quarterback?
Now, the Broncos are out of the disaster and must pay for it. It leaves a big hole at the most critical position in football, and it is up to coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton to figure out what is next. Will the team draft a quarterback, something Sean Payton rarely does, or will they explore a veteran in free agency, such as Kirk Cousins and Jameis Winston?
There is also a possibility the team rolls with Jarrett Stidham, who started the final two games and will likely remain on the team. The Broncos have significant issues, but getting rid of Russell Wilson, who one can argue was not the problem, will help and hurt the team. It is now a road to recovery in Denver, and it appears the playoff drought the team has had since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016 will continue unless something changes.
Now that the trade is said and done, it will be ranked as one of the worst trades in franchise history. A move that made Paton look like a genius backfired and dug the team into a hole it would take years to dig out of. But at the end of the day, it is all in the past now.
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