Russell Wilson's Future With Broncos in Doubt per NFL Insider

The Russell Wilson era in Denver could end with a whimper after just two seasons.

Russell Wilson's future with the Denver Broncos is "unclear" after leading the team to a 1-5 start in his second season, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

It’s unclear whether Payton will stick with Russell Wilson at quarterback past this season. If the Broncos decide to move on from him, Wilson has another $37 million that becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2024 league year in March. I would be surprised if Wilson is part of the Broncos’ future.

Indeed, Wilson has failed to move the needle for an organization that gave up a pair of first-round picks, one of which was a top-5 selection, and a second-rounder, to acquire him. Not to mention the $250 million extension Wilson got from Denver on the doorstep of the 2022 regular season. 

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The hope was that Sean Payton would "fix' Wilson, and while the veteran QB hasn't been the problem, per se, in the Broncos' 2023 woes, he certainly hasn't been the solution. A "franchise" quarterback making what Wilson is should be able to cover holes and overcome less-than-ideal developments around him.

Think back to Peyton Manning's record-setting romp in 2013. That defense was without Von Miller and Chris Harris, Jr. for most of the season, and it showed. Denver's 2013 defense was so bad that then-GM John Elway went on a free-agent rampage following Super Bowl XLVIII, signing DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and T.J. Ward. 

And yet, despite the holes on defense, the Broncos were impervious to them during regular season play thanks to Manning's command and performance. That was Manning's second year in Denver, and it was with a new offensive coordinator, to boot. 

There are parallels when it comes to Wilson, but none of them are good. Where Manning succeeded and put the Broncos on his shoulders, willing them to victory and elevating the players around him beyond their natural capabilities, Wilson has exacerbated the issues around him more often than not and presided over a losing team. 

Wilson's first four games this season were solid. I wouldn't call them 'good' because it didn't come out in the wash in the form of team victories. But from a statistical perspective, it was clear that Payton's influence on Wilson was a net positive on the individual level. 

But still, the Broncos continue to lose games. Externally, most media and fans have given up on the idea that Wilson factors into this team's long-term future.

The question is, has Payton and company come to the same conclusion? If the Broncos move on from Wilson next year, whether via trade or release, it'll be painful and costly on the salary cap. 

But Payton is smart enough to realize he can't afford to waste any more time with Wilson under center. It'll soon be time for Payton to choose his own quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft as the Broncos continue to angle for a top-3 pick. 

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