The Russell Wilson era in Denver came to an end on Monday.
The Broncos announced that they will be releasing the veteran quarterback when the new league year begins next Wednesday after just two seasons with the team.
Doing so will come at a cost. After Denver acquired Wilson from Seattle via trade in 2022, he signed a five-year, $245 million extension that September. In releasing him, the Broncos will incur a record $85 million dead cap hit.
Wilson improved significantly this season after a rough campaign in 2022 in which he led the NFL in sacks taken, but it didn’t translate to overall team success. In two years, Wilson was just 11-19 as the starter in Denver.
We’ve notified QB Russell Wilson that he will be released after the league year begins March 13.
A statement from GM George Paton and HC Sean Payton: pic.twitter.com/EJO5mNMjew
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 4, 2024
Thank You Broncos Country 🙏🏾 – #3 pic.twitter.com/3IoVheYVyI
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 4, 2024
A tenure that began with great optimism is ending unceremoniously, and NFL fans on social media were making similar jokes about it.
Using a GIF, how would you summarize the Russell Wilson era?
Here’s mine. Let’s ride, indeed: pic.twitter.com/MkjCqcoIDz
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 4, 2024
RIP to “Broncos Country, Let’s Ride!”
March 2022 – March 2024Hell of a runpic.twitter.com/2OgMvxFQGL
— Relle Da 5’5” (@__Relle__) March 4, 2024
Russell Wilson tonight in Denver pic.twitter.com/5a45NbPLzO
— JAY🤘🏽🐻⬇️ (@Directhim) March 4, 2024
Hey Broncos, how much money are you willing to pay to NOT have Russell Wilson on your team?
Broncos: pic.twitter.com/6D16QqS5F2
— 𝗢𝘇𝘇𝘆🌾 (@EvryManAWildcat) March 4, 2024
Russell Wilson Broncos Era gave us this edit pic.twitter.com/uR5i4UbKrC
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) March 4, 2024
can make a case that the Russell Wilson trade was the worst in NFL history when all the assets/finances takent into account. But fear not, the Deshaun Watson trade will wind up worse!
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) March 4, 2024
Broncos fans knowing they never have to watch Russell Wilson again pic.twitter.com/qdbXMJLsoA
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) March 4, 2024
Russell Wilson: "Broncos Country, Let's Ride!"
The Ride…pic.twitter.com/iMz8RQONmI https://t.co/hkoYr8vXQI
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) March 4, 2024
At least the Russell Wilson Broncos era gave us this Justin Tucker gem😂
“Ravens Flock, let’s fly” pic.twitter.com/Qm5utu2gbH
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 4, 2024
Russell Wilson: "Broncos Country, let's ride…"
The ride: https://t.co/958IUDIK0I pic.twitter.com/Ouht3OXZC4
— Dan Beyer (@danbeyeronfox) March 4, 2024
“Broncos Country, let’s ride!”
The actual ride: pic.twitter.com/i4YrYMCjPy
— Bookmakers Review (@BMRReviews) March 4, 2024
Should’ve said “broncos country, goodbye” https://t.co/1QLjV1hP46
— lynz (@lynziekate) March 4, 2024
The highlight of the Russell Wilson era in Denver really was the touchdowns versus bathrooms comparison
— alexSSN (@alexSSN) March 4, 2024