With two games left in the season, the Broncos are sending one of the biggest acquisitions in recent years on the trade market, Russell Wilson, to the bench. The move may be seen as a simple financial decision, but the real signal they are sending is that one of the worst trades in history is ending in disaster and they are moving on to another call.
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In March 2022, the Broncos felt the pieces of their puzzle were just missing a star quarterback and sent three players plus four draft picks to the Seahawks to acquire Wilson.
A few weeks later, they granted him a five-year contract extension for 245 million (including 165 million guaranteed). Both on the field and in the team’s financial books, this transaction is a total disaster.
The Broncos take Wilson off the field under the pretext that in March he will have to be paid $37 million if he fails an injury physical. Jarrett Stidham will take over and with two career starts at 27, he will most likely not become the expected savior in Denver.
We can understand the financial incentive to avoid putting Wilson at risk of injury in a situation where a playoff appearance has become all but impossible. Still, his exclusion says a lot about what the team thinks of him.
Last year, Wilson had an atrocious start in Denver. This season, he played better and many will point to his 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions, an excellent ratio.
However, the Broncos are stuck at 16th in offense at 21.8 points per game and 25th in passing (185.7 yards per game). This season, he is not the direct cause of Denver’s setbacks, but he clearly does not justify such a contract either.
Failures all the way
Photo credit: Getty Images via AFP
The failure is therefore resounding. At this point, there is no going back. It’s over for Wilson in Denver, after two short seasons. Even if the Broncos and the center tried to renegotiate a deal down, it’s easy to assume the relationship is broken.
The loss of high picks in the 2022 and 2023 drafts will have delayed the team’s development and the salary cap will take a hit in the seasons to come.
If the Broncos decide to release Wilson before March 17, that will mean that they will have to collect 85 million in penalties in 2024. If they take the action after June 1, the same 85 million would be distributed between 2024 and 2025.
One way or another, you don’t have to be a great mathematician to understand that they are going to have to pay an astronomical amount to ensure that the object of their desire not even two years ago years no longer plays for them.
Unless you find a dance partner for an exchange, but no one will want to inherit such a contract. When we tell you it’s a big waste…
Among the worst exchanges
Photo credit: AFP
There is no doubt that the Russell Wilson trade now ranks among the worst in NFL history. Luckily for the Broncos, they’re not the only ones.
The Browns don’t look too bright with Deshaun Watson getting for six draft picks, including three first-rounders. At least they are saving face by performing this season.
The 49ers also saved the furniture by falling on Brock Purdy in the seventh round last year because they had given the moon for Trey Lance, who is now just a memory.
Obviously, nothing can compare to the acquisition of running back Herschel Walker by the Vikings in 1989. The wheelbarrow of choices conceded to the Cowboys allowed them to then build their dynasty of the 1990s.
Still, the Broncos expected to find the missing piece last year. Instead, they find themselves with a huge fiasco on their hands.
MY PREDICTION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT’S GAME:
Jets 13 Browns 20
2023-12-27 20:56:18
#Russell #Wilson #bench #Denver #worst #trades #history
