Title: Denver Broncos Bench Russell Wilson Amidst Uncertain Future
Word Count: 314
The Denver Broncos have made a surprising decision to bench their quarterback, Russell Wilson, for the remaining two games of the season. This move has sparked speculation that the team may be considering moving on from Wilson in the upcoming offseason.
One of the factors influencing this decision is Wilson’s hefty $37 million salary, which will be fully guaranteed in 2025. With the fifth day of the 2024 league year approaching, the Broncos are prioritizing keeping their options open rather than being tied down to Wilson’s guaranteed salary.
While there have been reports suggesting that this benching is an opportunity for the Broncos to evaluate backup QB Jarrett Stidham, it is widely believed that the decision is primarily driven by Wilson’s contract and his future with the team.
Wilson’s performance this season has had its ups and downs, including a shaky start in a game against the New England Patriots, which practically eliminated the Broncos from playoff contention. Although moving on from Wilson may not be easy due to the significant dead salary-cap hit incurred if he is cut, the trade for the quarterback has been perceived as a backfire for the Broncos, who gave up a massive haul of players and draft picks to acquire Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks.
Expectations were high when Wilson joined the team, as there was hope that new head coach Sean Payton could help revive Wilson’s form. While Wilson has not performed poorly, the Broncos remain unconvinced that he has returned to his peak level of play.
The decision to bench Wilson at a time when their playoff hopes are technically still alive indicates that the relationship between Wilson and the Broncos may be nearing its end. As the season comes to a close, all eyes will be on the team to see what moves they make in the offseason and whether Wilson will continue to don the orange and blue.
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