Russell Wilson leaving the Denver Broncos this offseason may not be the sure thing that it seemed to be when he was benched for the final two games of the regular season.
One of those options includes the "possibility" of reengaging Wilson in talks about restructuring his contract.
In an interview with Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said they will make a decision about Wilson's future "sooner than later" as they start to prepare for the 2024 NFL draft in the coming weeks.
Mad Dog Sports Radio @MadDogRadio"It is what it is."<a href="">@SeanPayton</a> talks to <a href="">@AdamSchein</a> about whether he took too much heat for the <a href="">#Broncos</a> QB situation with Russell Wilson & whether Wilson will be back next year.<br><br>For more Schein on Sports⬇️<br>🔊 <a href=""> <a href=""> <a href="">
Wilson is owed $39 million fully guaranteed next season with a $35.4 million cap hit. His deal includes a $37 million injury guarantee for 2025, which was one of the key points when the Broncos decided to bench him.
Sitting Wilson for the final two games of the season ensured he wouldn't suffer an injury, which allow them to release him before the 2025 salary becomes fully guaranteed.
Wilson told reporters on Dec. 29 that Broncos management approached him the days after their 24-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 about adjusting a salary guarantee in his contract, or he would "benched for the rest of the year."
The $37 million guarantee for 2025 would kick in if he couldn't pass a physical on the fifth day of the new league year in March 2024.
Per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the Broncos wanted to adjust the timing of that guarantee.
NFLPA executive Director Lloyd Howell told Mark Maske of The Washington Post that the union believes the Broncos "mistreated" Wilson after previously telling the team in a letter the threat to bench him over the injury guarantee was a violation of the collective bargaining agreement.
MarkMaske @MarkMaskeNEW: The NFLPA told the Broncos in Nov. 4 letter their threat to bench Russell Wilson over injury guarantee in contract was illegal and violated the CBA, creating the possibility for litigation and arbitration against the team and NFL. Story upcoming at <a href=""> <a href="">
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on Dec. 27 that Wilson is expecting to be released by the Broncos in March and he's known "for almost two months" they were likely going in a different direction next season.
Denver's interest in wanting to potentially restructure Wilson's deal is obvious. The team would take on an $85 million dead cap hit if he's released under his current contract. That figure can be spread out over two years if he's designated as a post-June 1 cut.
Wilson's side of the equation will be harder to figure out. After everything that happened with the Broncos this season, does he even want to stay with the club, let alone do something that might benefit them financially?
There's also no guarantee Wilson would return as Denver's starting quarterback. There are enough teams looking for help at the position that he might be able to find a starting gig on the open market.
Wilson was solid in 15 starts for the Broncos this season. He threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions and completed 66.4 percent of his attempts.
Denver finished second in the AFC West with an 8-9 record. It hasn't made the playoffs since beating the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl 50 in February 2016.
