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How Russell Wilson's Contract Impacts Broncos Salary Cap if Payton Cuts QB in 2024

This possibility seemed unimaginable a season ago.

The Denver Broncos paid a premium to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the 2022 season and hoped he would become the first strong presence at the position since Peyton Manning retired following the 2015 season. Instead, Wilson has been disappointing and his long-term future is in question.

Dan Graziano of ESPN contemplated the possibility of head coach Sean Payton moving on from Wilson and examined what the potential buyout penalty could look like if the Broncos punted on the experiment:

"Wilson has a guaranteed $17 million salary in 2024, and if he's still on the Denver roster when the 2024 league year opens, his $37 million 2025 salary becomes fully guaranteed.