Should the Broncos move for a QB in 2023? Assessing Denver’s roster wreckage ahead of Week 14 showdown vs Chiefs
The Denver Broncos are one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL despite making the biggest off-season trade in NFL history.
In the off-season, Denver acquired Super-Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster trade.
Denver sent Seattle two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, and Noah Fant.
The full deal:
#Broncos get: Russell Wilson and a fourth-rounder.
#Seahawks get: 2 first-rounders and 2 second-rounders, a fifth-rounder, Drew Lock, Shelby Harris and Noah Fant.
So far this season, Wilson has been everything the Seahawks hadn't hoped he'd be. The Broncos are 3-8 in games Wilson has started, and they sit in last place in the AFC West. They play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, December 11, who are 9-3 thus far this season.
Wilson has had a horrendous season and hasn't played what he is getting paid. In 11 games thus far, he's recorded 2,558 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions. He completed 60% of his passes and only has 158 rushing yards and one touchdown.
With all that they've given up for him and how much the team paid him with the extension, the question for the Broncos going forward is: do they think Russell Wilson is their franchise quarterback?
Before the season began, the Broncos signed Wilson to a five-year, $245 million contract extension while he had two years remaining on his current deal.
The deal included a $50,000,000 signing bonus, $161,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $48,517,64. According to Spotrac.com, the Broncos only have $19 million in cap space next season but have $85 million the following season.
Wilson's contract makes it near impossible for the Broncos to move on from him and go with a different quarterback in 2023.
The Denver Broncos will be forced to ride out with Russell Wilson in 2023
Due to his contract and guaranteed money, the Broncos have no other option but to stick with Russell Wilson. If the Broncos were to move on from Wilson this season, they would have to pay him $101 million in dead cap and owe him $89 million after next season.
Trading Matt Ryan handed the Falcons the largest dead-cap hit in NFL history at just over $40m.
If the Broncos cut Russell Wilson at the start of the 2023 league year the dead cap hit would be $107m over the next two years!!!
The Broncos have some talent on the offensive side of the ball in wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, and Tim Patrick. Javonte Williams was on his way to having a breakout year before going down with an injury.
Defensively, they're led by Justin Simmons and Patrick Surtain II.
Head coach Nathaniel Hackett is in his first season with the team, and at 3-9, they're having an underwhelming season. Changes could be made if they aren't in the playoffs next season.