The Denver Broncos made a shocking announcement on Monday that they would be releasing Russell Wilson next week, marking the end of what has been deemed as one of the worst trades for a veteran quarterback in NFL history. The Broncos acquired Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, giving up five draft picks and three players before signing him to a massive contract extension worth $242.6 million. In two seasons with the Broncos, Wilson went 11-19, never making it to the playoffs and was eventually benched in late December due to poor performance.
The decision to release Wilson will result in a significant dead-cap hit of $85 million for the Broncos split between this year and next year. This failure adds to a long list of historically bad quarterback moves in the NFL, with examples like the Dolphins’ failed Daunte Culpepper experiment in 2006 and the Browns’ ongoing woes with Deshaun Watson.
As the Broncos close the chapter on the Russell Wilson era, it is a stark reminder of the risks and consequences of trading for a veteran quarterback. The pressure to find success at the quarterback position can lead teams to make significant investments that do not always pay off. This serves as a cautionary tale for teams looking to make similar moves in the future. With Wilson heading to free agency, the Broncos will need to regroup and find a new direction for their team.
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