The Denver Broncos hired Sean Payton to right their ship after a disastrous 2022 campaign that culminated in a last-place finish in the AFC West.
So far this season, the Broncos aren’t doing much better despite Payton calling the performance of his fired predecessor “one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL history.”
The Broncos are 1-5 on the season, a record that almost assuredly means they’ll miss the playoffs once again.
The question will then turn to what to do with franchise quarterback Russell Wilson and his massive contract. While Wilson has shown flashes of greatness this season, he is once again mired in a forgettable season as he’s noticeably clashed with Payton during games.
According to a report from Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post, the key date in that decision is March 17th.
On that date, Wilson’s $37 million in 2025 salary becomes fully guaranteed, too. Since injured players can’t be cut, the Broncos are currently running the risk of him sustaining an injury in the 2023 season that requires “major rehabilitation and prevents him from passing protocol in March,” which would guarantee the money.
That makes the decision about if the Broncos want to get locked into Russell through 2025.
“One hundred percent. That’s the date that forces a decision to happen,” Pro Football Focus and Over the Cap analyst Brad Spielberger told The Post. “… Long answer short, that date is a trigger date.”
The Broncos decision won’t be made easier by failing to contend for anything by the Oct. 31st deadline.
“It’s going to be tough. The earlier you do it, the tougher it is,” Spielberger told The Post of deciding whether to bench Wilson. “The season is effectively over, but of course you want to sell tickets, want fans to think you can make a run. But it’s a massive risk.”
As it stands now, the Broncos made one of the worst trades in the history of the NFL when they traded for Wilson and signed him to a massive extension.
