Falcon Report

Broncos Bench Russell Wilson; Falcons QB Option for 2024?

The Atlanta Falcons could trade for a veteran quarterback or sign one in free agency this offseason. Could that be recently-benched Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson?

Jeremy Brener

Broncos Bench Russell Wilson; Falcons QB Option for 2024?
Broncos Bench Russell Wilson; Falcons QB Option for 2024? /
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The Denver Broncos are signaling the end of the Russell Wilson era by benching him for the final two games of the season.

Wilson, 35, has struggled mightily in his two-year Broncos tenure and Denver is looking to save itself some financial burden should he get hurt in either of the final two games.

"Wilson has $37M in 2025 salary that vests in March of 2024, and if he suffered a serious injury, it would complicate matters," NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweeted.

Russell Wilson
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

While this doesn't guarantee that the Broncos will move on from Wilson in the offseason and incur millions of dollars in dead money, the chances Denver says goodbye are certainly nonzero. And if he needs a new home, could the Atlanta Falcons provide one?

The Falcons are in quarterback limbo after Desmond Ridder has proven that he isn't the longterm answer in Atlanta. This means the Falcons can either find a quarterback in the draft (again) or target a veteran in free agency or the trade market.

If the Falcons were to trade for Wilson, the Broncos may be willing to give some draft compensation, but he is making so much money beyond his worth that it won't even make sense for Atlanta. In his age-40 season in 2028, Wilson will be due a base salary of $50 million. For a quarterback that's thrown for just over 3,000 yards, it's not worth it financially.

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However, if the Broncos cut Wilson and take on the dead money, the Falcons may look to sign him for a cheaper deal. With 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, he's certainly better than the current options on the roster.

Atlanta is 7-8 going into the final two weeks of the season and sit just one game back in the NFC South standings. Out of the team's eight losses, four of them have come by five points or less. With an experienced quarterback like Wilson running the Falcons offense, Atlanta could make improvements in 2024.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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