Sean Payton expects the Denver Broncos to make a decision on quarterback Russell Wilson “sooner than later,” and the coach has insisted that Wilson remaining with the team in 2024 is one of the possible outcomes of the saga.
We have been skeptical about Wilson potentially returning for next season, but a report from NFL Network suggests such a scenario is possible.
“The Broncos are keeping all options on the table at QB — including the possibility of reopening talks with Russell Wilson about restructuring his contract to keep him in Denver for 2024,” according to a story on NFL.com credited to Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo.
NFL Network admitted that “it’s hard to imagine” Wilson remaining with the Broncos, but the NFL’s official media arm hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a restructured contract.
“Under the circumstances, it’s hard to imagine Wilson, 35, playing another down for Denver,” the insiders wrote on NFL.com. “But the Broncos owe him the $39 million in 2024 either way, so it’s not out of the question the team could take another run at tweaking the contract if Wilson is open to staying and better options don’t materialize for either side.”
The key phrase is “if Wilson is open to staying.” Last season, Wilson publicly accused the team of threatening to bench him over his contract. Denver did admit to negotiating a revised deal, but the team has side-stepped questions about Wilson being threatened with losing his starting job.
It’s hard to imagine Wilson wanting to stay with the team after that went down, and he will have leverage. The quarterback was not willing to revise his contract during the 2023 season, so why would he do it now? If he’s cut by the Broncos, Wilson will still get paid, so unless he really wants to stay in Denver, the QB has no reason to restructure his deal this offseason.
The Broncos are expected to make a decision on Wilson’s future by March 17 — that’s when his 2025 salary ($37 million) is set to become guaranteed. In the meantime, Denver might attempt to negotiate a revised contract, but Wilson agreeing to a reworked deal seems unlikely.
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