The Denver Broncos may have decided to part ways with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson earlier this month, but that does not mean that the team is fully free from all of the problems that came about as a result of his signing.
Even though Russell Wilson is no longer with the team, the Broncos still owe him a lot of money over the next two years – $85 million, to be exact – and it will all count against their salary cap, making it impossible to use that money on other players.
As a result, the Broncos will be forced to part ways with players they otherwise would have liked to keep, like safety Justin Simmons.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Broncos have decided to release veteran star safety Justin Simmons to create salary cap space.
Broncos are releasing former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons in Denver, per league sources.
Moving on from Simmons, who went to the Pro Bowl last season, will save the Broncos $14.5 million against their salary cap. pic.twitter.com/AnBnuOVOlQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2024
“Broncos are releasing former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons in Denver, per league sources. Moving on from Simmons, who went to the Pro Bowl last season, will save the Broncos $14.5 million against their salary cap,” NFL insider Adam Schefter said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Obviously, this move is a pretty clear result of the horrible problem created by Wilson’s contract, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media.
85M Cap HIt is no big deal 🙄 https://t.co/N7jYsZPg7J pic.twitter.com/mTdygnpejD
— Jay Krier (@JayKrier) March 7, 2024
The cost of doing business with Russell Wilson continues to affect the Broncos. https://t.co/JsJb1KvY0f
— Ken Johannesen (@BurgundyBurner) March 7, 2024
Great players are victims of crap QB contracts
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) March 7, 2024
One of the craziest releases in recent memory, but that’s what you have to do when you have $85 million in dead cap from a QB who doesn’t play for you
The Bears should 100% inquire on this https://t.co/OrPkHbE8m5
— Kevin Lapka (@kevcharles112) March 7, 2024
Russell Wilson as he counts his Benjamins from one of the worst contracts handed out by a team in NFL history while watching Denver release one of the leagues best safeties because of it. https://t.co/65f1KTZ9Jt pic.twitter.com/Oy4TUmZYpM
— Reason (@the_real_reason) March 7, 2024
This is what happens when you owe a quarterback $85 million who doesn’t even play for your team.
