While expected, the Denver Broncos swallowed an enormously bitter pill with their decision to release quarterback Russell Wilson.
It’s no secret that the Broncos trade for Wilson and the contract they then gave to him will go down as two of the worst decisions in NFL history.
Russell Wilson isn’t a leader. The foolishness that went on in his first year at Denver with a private coach, his own office at the facility, and family at training camp when other players didn’t have those privileges, proved his self centeredness. pic.twitter.com/AVKfiWjdF6
— Karl Mecklenburg CSP, NFL (@KarlMecklenburg) March 5, 2024
Sean Payton was brought onboard to find out if he could save Wilson. After all, if anyone could save him, it would be Payton.
But we all know how that turned out…
2023 week 16: Russell Wilson fumbles twice while getting blown out by the worst team in the AFC pic.twitter.com/Uq5US6ng6T
— Adam ☘️ (48-12) (@MileHighAE) March 5, 2024
At the end of the day, the Broncos will take a record $85 million dead-cap hit by releasing Wilson … But it’s something that needed to be done.
Russell Wilson cleaning out his office pic.twitter.com/eoA1MGDNgB
— John Elway (@FakeJohnElway) March 5, 2024
Wilson’s fall from grace is one of the steepest in NFL history. In many ways, it’s baffling to even think about.
It wasn’t long before being traded to Denver that Wilson was playing at an MVP-level with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Russell Wilson’s impact in Denver was suppose to be monumental.”@Keyshawn explains why the Seahawks-Broncos trade will go done as the worst in NFL history pic.twitter.com/O8WwFhGXC3
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 6, 2024
Watching him in Denver, there were many times where if you had no idea who Russell Wilson was, you’d swear he never played football before.
That’s how lost he looked during long stretches of his short-lived Broncos career.
Even though he quickly became Public Enemy #1 in Denver, many feel he was dealt a nasty hand and was in many ways set up to fail in the Mile High City.
I hope the Broncos & Sean Payton fail for the next 20 years. Bunch of scumbags in that front office. Sean Payton is a piece of shit. Good for Russell Wilson for speaking out about it. #BroncosCountry #NFL
pic.twitter.com/q8fFhB7H4N— Rip Wheeler (@Gambling400) February 28, 2024
One of the people who feel this way is former quarterback, now ESPN analyst, Robert Griffin III.
While RG3 has plenty of critics himself, he’s never been hesitant to speak his mind and ruffle a few feathers.
In this instance, he got so fired up in his defense of Wilson that he let a curse fly on live TV…
RG3 dropping S-bombs on ESPN airwaves at 9:15 a.m. while discussing Russell Wilson.
"When you bring in a quarterback of that caliber and you cater it to him, you have to fully cater it to him. Not put him in an offense with a first-time head coach, a first-time playcaller, a… pic.twitter.com/FJ6i8UWwhe
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 5, 2024
Of course, much worse things have slipped on live television. However, RG3 stuck by his take and defended his passion.
(Even if many disagree with him.)
I respect you, bro, but this isn't the right take. You need to admit that Russ isn't who he used to be. We invested in support and Russ didn't perform. He was very underwhelming to watch. He missed so many wide open reads. It was so frustrating to watch.
If you're going to…
— AlwaysOrangeandBlue (@LiberateSD) March 5, 2024
Wilson will soon be searching for a new team.
Ironically, he becomes more attractive than ever for the simple fact that he can accept a one-year deal for as cheap as $1.2 million for a chance to re-prove himself in the league.
After all, he’s got all the guaranteed Denver money coming to him, and no one will be looking to break the bank in any way, shape or form for him. So, $1.2 million seems like more than enough.
He’s now in a unique situation where he could wind up with a quarterback-needy team and try to show everyone that the nightmare in Denver had more to do with the Broncos than him.
Give us Revenge Russell Wilson 😂😂#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/t2BsnmjcFl
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 6, 2024
What do you think of the Broncos decision to cut Wilson?
Where do you think he’ll end up?
Would he be a good (cheap) stop-gap solution in a place like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, New England or Minnesota?
Where is the best fit for Mr. Unlimited???
Russell Wilson apparently has a podcast and I can only pray that he hosts it as his ridiculous alter ego Mr. Unlimited pic.twitter.com/DQ834QXo62
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) September 9, 2020