The Denver Broncos might be bidding farewell to quarterback Russell Wilson after the season if this report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini comes to fruition.
It’s been a tough week for Wilson in Denver, as the Broncos benched him for the final two games of the season and put his future there in major question.
Russini tweeted on Wednesday that Wilson is “expecting to be cut” in March after two seasons with the team. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also explored the possibility that Wilson could be playing somewhere else next season.
This makes Wilson one of the more fascinating free agents in next year’s class, and a number of quarterback-needy teams could be intrigued by adding the former Seattle Seahawks star to the roster.
While Wilson could technically retire, it’s also very possible he’d want to continue starting for an NFL franchise.
If Denver indeed plans to cut Wilson next March, they could set it as a post-June 1 designation and just eat $35 million in dead cap for 2024 (per OTC).
If they could somehow find a trade partner with the same post-June 1 designation attached, OTC shows that the team would only eat $18.4 million in dead cap.
While Wilson’s days of being an elite starter in the NFL are likely over, let’s take a look at the five teams that could be interested in him next spring anyhow.
CHARLES LECLAIRE/USA TODAY SPORTS
The Steelers are in a bit of a quarterback conundrum. The team hasn’t gotten consistent play from 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, but it’s technically too early to give up on his potential.
The team doesn’t have a long-term starter outside of Pickett on the roster, so you could see Wilson signing with Pittsburgh and giving the team a stopgap veteran starter while they continue to develop Pickett on the side.
With the Steelers, Wilson would have a very solid supporting cast and offensive line to help him guide the Pittsburgh offense. It helps that the Steelers have a playoff-ready defense, too.
Of all the teams on this list, Pittsburgh is undoubtedly the most intriguing.
STEPHEN R. SYLVANIE/USA TODAY SPORTS
If the Raiders don’t get into the right draft position to find their next quarterback,
