The Broncos’ season began with questions about Russell Wilson‘s long-term future within new head coach Sean Payton‘s scheme. His contract was also a talking point, and that is once again the case given the recent decision to bench him.
While the move to start Jarrett Stidham was based in part on the lack of consistency Denver produced on offense with Wilson at the helm, the latter’s 2025 injury guarantee was a factor as well. Wilson was approached midseason and asked to move the date at which his $37M for that season became a full guarantee. Denver threatened to bench the nine-time Pro Bowler midseason if he refused to alter his contract, which remains intact.
Wilson was demoted to backup, but only after the Broncos’ postseason chances were essentially extinguished. Now, his future in the Mile High City is very much in doubt, although he has expressed a desire to finish his career in Denver. With respect to the situation surrounding his contract, no action from the player’s association is expected to take place, something which could help lead to an amicable split or a reconciliation.
The NFLPA sent a letter to the Broncos and the league’s management council in early November, days after the team approached Wilson’s agent about delaying his injury guarantee. As noted by Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the union stated in that correspondence that benching him would constitute a violation of the CBA and his contract. The Broncos, meanwhile, met with the management council and, upon accepting Wilson’s decision not to alter his pact, proceeded through much of the second half of the campaign with him under center after he called the team’s bluff, via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
While this situation has become a public issue and one which will have franchise-altering consequences if Wilson is indeed released, it is not set to produce action from the NFLPA. Despite the letter suggesting a grievance could be filed in the wake of Wilson being benched, Denver7’s Troy Renck notes that has not happened yet. More to the point, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds no grievances are expected in the future.
Per Rapoport, Broncos general manager George Paton‘s request that Wilson delay (rather than remove) the vesting date of his 2025 guarantee led the NFLPA to not view the possibility of his benching as a genuine threat. As a result, attention will remain on how the parties proceed after the campaign comes to an end. Denver has been eliminated from the playoffs, and a QB pursuit will ensue if Wilson is released in the near future. His next destination would become a key NFL storyline, and it would mark an unceremonious end to his time in Denver.
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