NFL executive names one AFC team that could pursue Russell Wilson

The Denver Broncos will likely explore ways to move on from Russell Wilson this offseason, and at least one NFL executive believes the veteran quarterback could end up with a division rival.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently spoke with an NFL exec who named the Las Vegas Raiders as a logical suitor for Wilson. The executive cited the fact that the Raiders were one of the teams on Wilson’s wish list when Wilson asked the Seattle Seahawks to trade him.

“[The Raiders] need a vet, and they are one of Wilson’s original teams he wanted to go to,” the executive said. “He’d stay in the [AFC West], West Coast, and [Wilson’s wife] Ciara can do a [Las Vegas] residency [as a live performer].”

The Broncos would love to trade Wilson, but that would probably require some serious financial gymnastics. Wilson signed a five-year, $242.6 million contract with Denver after the team acquired him before the 2022 season. 

He is guaranteed $39 million next season, and his $37 million salary for 2025 will also become fully guaranteed if he remains on Denver’s roster on March 17. Wilson carries salary cap hits of more than $50 million each season from 2025 through 2028.

If the Broncos cut Wilson, they will take an $85 million dead salary cap hit. They may be willing to do that just to reset at the quarterback position, though Sean Payton recently offered a very diplomatic take on the situation.

The Raiders are expected to cut their own high-priced veteran quarterback this offseason, as Jimmy Garoppolo’s days with the franchise appear to be numbered. 

Garoppolo was benched late in the year for Aidan O’Connell, who threw for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 starts as a rookie.

The Raiders could just stick with O’Connell, especially after naming Antonio Pierce their full-time head coach. There is a level of familiarity there, and they might feel they are better off going with an inexpensive rookie rather than signing a 35-year-old veteran like Wilson.