Russell Wilson now finds himself staring into a most uncertain future.
In a move that stunned the NFL, Broncos coach Sean Payton announced Wednesday that Wilson will be benched for the final two regular-season games of the season. The Broncos will go with Jarrett Stidham, and Wilson will be his backup.
National reports indicated the move was made mostly so the Broncos are able to cut Wilson after the season without having to pay additional money in a contract that runs through the 2028 season.
Wilson’s contract includes a clause in which his 2025 base salary of $37 million becomes guaranteed if he is on the roster on March 21, 2024. If Wilson were to get hurt this season and could not pass a physical, the team could not release him, per NFL collective-bargaining rules, without paying that money. But he can be released before that date if healthy without Denver owing him any 2025 salary.
