Russell Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos could be spiraling toward the end.
On Wednesday, the 35-year-old quarterback was benched for Jarrett Stidham with just two games remaining in the regular season.
That move came days after Wilson — who was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks in March 2022 and later signed a five-year, $242.6 million contract extension — dodged a question about his future by stating he’s just focused on Denver’s next game.
With speculation now mounting about a possible Wilson-Broncos divorce, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer pointed out Wednesday his deal will have cost Denver $124 million for two years and $73 million more than if they hadn’t offered the extension.
Wilson is owed $37 million for 2025 which becomes guaranteed if he’s on the roster by March 17, 2024.
There have been red flags that it makes sense for both sides to part ways following the season, beginning with Wilson’s underwhelming numbers from 2022 — at least compared to his production in Seattle.
In his final year with the Seahawks in 2021, Wilson threw for 25 touchdowns and six interceptions.
However, in his first year with the Broncos, he threw for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.
With the Broncos choosing to sideline Wilson for Weeks 17 and 18 amid their eight-percent chance of making the postseason, the organization now evades the risk of having to navigate a potential Wilson injury and recovery.
If the Broncos eventually wanted to part ways with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, the team could not release him if injured or recovering.
The Broncos’ once promising trade for Wilson — which included sending two first-round picks, two second-rounders, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris to Seattle — has devolved into a nightmare.
At 7-8 in their first season under head coach Sean Payton, the Broncos now are now saddled with more questions than answers at the position.
With Wilson set to remain active as the Broncos’ No. 2 quarterback on Sunday, according to NFL Network, it remains to be seen how the latest sequence of events plays out in Denver.
The Broncos host the Chargers on Sunday and will close out the regular season on Jan. 7 against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
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