The era of quarterback Russell Wilson with the Denver Broncos has officially come to an end. Renowned sports reporter ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed that the Broncos have officially released Wilson under a post-June 1 classification. This decision marks a significant turning point for both the player and the franchise as they look to move forward.

As the clock struck 2 PM ET, signaling the deadline for roster transactions, the Broncos made their decision official. With the start of the new league year, Wilson is now free to pursue opportunities, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers, paving the way for a fresh chapter in his career.

General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Sean Payton released a comprehensive statement discussing their rationale behind the decision to release Wilson, emphasizing their commitment to the team’s future.

We spoke to Russell Wilson today to inform him of his release after the start of the league year. On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and commitment to our group and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career.

As we move forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond. We are excited to enhance this offseason and will have the flexibility to improve through the draft and free agency.

With Wilson’s release under the post-June 1 classification, the Broncos will now face significant dead cap hits of $53 million this year and $32 million next season. This financial burden poses challenges for the organization, necessitating strategic moves to ensure they remain compliant with the salary cap ahead of the new league year.

In a significant move two years ago, the Broncos orchestrated a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire quarterback Wilson. This trade involved sending a total of five draft picks and three players to Seattle in exchange for Wilson and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, marking a pivotal moment in the franchise’s recent history.

ADVERTISEMENT

Broncos acquired

• QB Russell Wilson
• DL Eyioma Uwazurike (2022 – fourth round pick), currently suspended

Seahawks received

• QB Drew Lock
• TE Noah Fant
• IDL Shelby Harris
• OT Charles Cross (2022 – 1st round pick)
• OLB Boye Mafe (2022 – 2nd round pick)
• OLB Tyreke Smith (2022 – 5th round pick)
• CB Devon Witherspoon (2023 – 1st round pick)
• EDGE Derick Hall (2023 – 2nd round pick)

Following this historic trade, the Broncos aimed to secure their newly acquired franchise quarterback for the long term. This goal was achieved when, prior to the start of the 2022 season, it was announced that the Broncos and Wilson had agreed to a five-year contract extension on top of the two years remaining on his original deal. Consequently, he now held a seven-year contract worth $296 million, averaging $42.3 million per year, solidifying his status as one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks.

The extension between the Broncos and Wilson was set to commence at the beginning of the 2024 season, further emphasizing the team’s commitment to him.

Regrettably for the Broncos, this trade and contract extension would ultimately become a significant setback for the franchise. In his inaugural season with the Broncos, Wilson experienced the worst performance of his career, culminating in a disappointing 5-12 record for the team. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the playoffs, benefitting from the top-five draft pick they received in return for Wilson.

The following year showed some statistical improvement, yet the Broncos still fell short once again. Head Coach Sean Payton endeavored to revitalize the situation, but after a devastating loss to the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve, the decision was made to end the experiment with Russell Wilson in Denver.

Throughout his two seasons in Denver, Wilson participated in a total of 30 games, throwing for an impressive 6,594 yards, along with 42 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Despite his individual statistics, the team struggled, resulting in an 11-19 record over those 30 games, which ultimately proved inadequate for both Wilson and the franchise.

With this official announcement, the journey between Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos has conclusively reached its end.