Russell Wilson’s Contract Is A Problem As Denver Broncos Reach New Low

There isn’t a fast repair in sight for the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos suffered their worst defeat of the season in a dull effort versus the woeful Carolina Panthers, shedding 23-10. Coming into a recreation wherein they have been by some means favored, Denver misplaced for the primary time wherein the end result wasn’t determined inside 10 factors.

Regardless of going through one of many worst groups within the league, the Broncos’ offense by some means regressed compared to final week, with Denver failing to attain a landing till there was 3:19 remaining within the fourth quarter.

Firing Nathaniel Hackett is a given, whether or not that’s on Monday morning or by the tip of the season. With that being stated, even when the Broncos do usher in a younger offensive genius or a coach the caliber of Sean Payton — which isn’t taking place— the franchise has some greater points past simply the pinnacle coach.

Russell Wilson’s contract — the one which he signed for $245 million, making him the second-highest paid quarterback within the league — has him locked in via the 2028 season at a median annual wage of a shade below $49 million. The earliest potential out in his contract doesn’t come till the 2026 offseason, the place it’ll price the Broncos a lifeless cap hit of $31 million.

Wilson’s cap hit alone is price almost 10% of the Broncos’ wage cap subsequent season, roughly 15% throughout the 2024 season and slightly below 18% for the 2025 season.

The contract will not be solely an issue contemplating Denver’s clear deficiencies alongside the offensive line — based on Professional Soccer Focus, the Broncos rank sixteenth in cross blocking — however the truth that Wilson merely seems to be washed.

Per week after delivering his greatest efficiency of the season — he accomplished 77.4% of his passes, however nonetheless did not throw a landing cross — Wilson regarded out of type once more. Not solely did he look like gradual, however the former Professional Bowl QB regarded inaccurate once more.

Wilson completed the sport with an unpleasant stat line of 19-of-35 passing (54.3% completion charge), 142 passing yards, one landing and one fumble misplaced. Nonetheless, his recreation was truly a lot worse contemplating he padded that stat line in direction of the tip with the Broncos’ meaningless landing drive.

The nine-time Professional Bowl quarterback was 9-of-13 for simply 53 yards within the first half. Till their late-game landing, Denver had gone 18 consecutive drives and not using a landing.

Former Broncos receiver Nate Jackson identified how Denver sacrificed a number of draft belongings simply to accumulate Wilson and that is what they’re getting in return.

The frustration in Denver has reached such a boiling level that defensive lineman Mike Purcell was seen mouthing off to Wilson within the midst of the Broncos’ worst lack of the season.

Coming into the season, the Broncos have been thought-about a darkish horse Tremendous Bowl contender. Actually, many pegged them as a shoe-in as a wild card playoff workforce.

Nonetheless, nobody anticipated to see this.

Not solely are the Broncos 3-8 and one of many worst groups within the league, Wilson is among the greatest causes for his or her lackluster season.

It will be one factor if Denver hadn’t signed Wilson to a serious contract extension — they did recoup a few of their misplaced draft picks within the Bradley Chubb commerce — however the bloated deal leaves the Broncos caught with a quarterback who might not even be capable to play at a good stage for the subsequent a number of seasons.

Wilson has simply seven landing passes (twenty eighth within the league) versus 5 interceptions for a 32.6 quarterback score (thirtieth in NFL) this season. He was by some means out-dueled by a first-round draft bust in Sam Darnold who was making his first begin of the season.

The previous elite quarterback has regarded so misplaced this season that some are already claiming the Broncos’ commerce with the Seattle Seahawks might go down because the worst in sports activities historical past.

Firing Hackett will happen any day now, nevertheless it gained’t all of a sudden remodel the Broncos into playoff contenders.

Denver has a actual problem with their quarterback and it’s going to be a fair greater drawback transferring ahead contemplating he’s locked in for the long run.