Broncos GM on Russell Wilson Trade Market: ‘I Haven’t Heard Anything from Any Teams’

Erin WalshFebruary 27, 2024

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It appears the trade market for Russell Wilson is nonexistent entering March.

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton told reporters Tuesday that he hasn’t been contacted by opposing teams in regards to a trade for the veteran quarterback.

“You know, I haven’t heard anything from any teams,” Paton said. “So, we’ll see.”

The Broncos have a major decision to make regarding Wilson’s future in the Mile High City, and head coach Sean Payton told reporters Tuesday that he’s expecting a resolution within the next two weeks.

“We go through the combine week here. Next week, I think Tuesday, Wednesday, we’ll be in meetings with ownership. And so I expect that we’re going to know fairly quickly,” Payton said. “There’s a couple of factors here. Obviously, the cap projections came out. We’re further down the road with the draft class, obviously the pro free agents. So, I would anticipate it within the next two weeks.”

Wilson has been included in trade rumors since he was benched for the final two games of the 2023 season, but with no interest from opposing franchises, the most likely outcome is that the veteran will be released.

The 35-year-old is owed $39 million in 2024, and his $37 million salary for 2025 will be guaranteed if he’s still on Denver’s roster come March 17.

Denver would incur an NFL record $85 million dead-cap charge if they release Wilson, per Over the Cap, but at this point, it seems like there’s no other option if the franchise wants to move on this offseason.

Wilson recently reiterated on Brandon Marshall’s I Am Athlete podcast that he hopes to remain with the Broncos, but that seems unlikely.

“So yeah, I want to go back to Denver. I hope I get to go back. I’d love to go back, to be honest with you. I’ve got amazing teammates,” Wilson said, per the Associated Press (h/t Sportsnet).

Wilson signed with the Broncos ahead of the 2022 campaign following a 10-year run with the Seattle Seahawks. He had expectations to help Denver contend for a Super Bowl title, but the team hasn’t even made the postseason with him under center as he has struggled to capture his Pro Bowl form.

A decision on Wilson’s future will likely stem from what the Broncos take away from the NFL Scouting Combine. They own the No. 12 pick in the 2024 draft and could use that selection to start over at quarterback.

If Wilson is released, it’s unclear which teams might express interest in signing him, though ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter that he could be interested in signing for the veteran’s minimum in 2024.