(Englewood) The association between quarterback Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos may not be doomed to divorce, team officials said during the end-of-season review on Tuesday.
The Broncos (8-9) left their No. 1 quarterback on the sideline for their final two games of the regular season after the quarterback refused to revisit a $37 million guaranteed amount in his contract. They instead turned to Jarrett Stidham, who won one of the two matches he started.
However, head coach Sean Payton, general manager George Paton and owner Greg Penner all said the same thing: nothing is set in stone in Wilson’s case.
The coach said he hasn’t yet decided which direction the team will take at quarterback because he will begin evaluating players next week, the GM said the “door is open » for reconciliation. He added that Wilson “is ready to come back.”
Both men declined to comment on discussions they had with Wilson’s agent when they requested a contract restructuring. The quarterback will play the first campaign this year under his five-year, $242.6 million contract.
The Broncos will owe Wilson $39 million for 2024, regardless of where he plays. In the event of a divorce, an amount of 85 million – a record in NFL history – would be spread over the Broncos’ payroll over the next two seasons.
Penner, however, indicated that the financial impact will not be the main factor in the decision to continue – or not – with Wilson. He added that the Broncos will move forward with the quarterback who gives the club the best chance of winning.
The Broncos have had a seventh straight season below .500 and have not made the playoffs in the last eight campaigns.
