Russell Wilson landing spots: Ranking six potential team fits for nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback
Russell Wilson’s benching for the final two games of the 2023 regular season signaled a potential split from the Denver Broncos in the coming offseason. Several factors led to that decision, but the financial aspect was undoubtedly significant, along with the veteran quarterback’s mediocre on-field play in Sean Payton’s first season with the team.
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It isn’t out of the question that Wilson ultimately stays in Denver for 2024. Payton said last week that the Broncos have not yet made a final decision regarding what to do with him. But given the no-trade clause in Wilson’s contract and the hefty sum of money still left on the deal, we seem to be down to two potential outcomes: The Broncos either cut him or keep him. If the nine-time Pro Bowler is cut, he’ll be able to sign with another team on what should be, thanks to off-set language, a low-cost deal, as NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport recently explained.
This sounds eerily familiar to me. And that’s because it’s turning out to be very similar to the situation my brother, Derek Carr, was in last year at this time. Toward the end of his ninth season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Derek was benched, and then the Raiders released him in February, allowing the team to avoid paying him over $40 million in future guarantees. As a free agent for the first time in his career, Derek was allowed to pursue the right fit for him, ultimately signing with the New Orleans Saints on a four-year contract.
If Wilson ends up on the market, he must be honest with himself about where he’s at as a player. Russ is 35 years old and likely in the twilight of his career. And while I believe he can still be a starter in this league, he won’t be handed the keys to a franchise like he was when Denver traded for (and extended) him in 2022.
Here are six potential landing spots for the veteran passer in 2024.
The Titans are amid a total rebuild after parting ways with Mike Vrabel. This organization is now in the business of selecting a new head coach, and it’d be wise to pick someone who can get the most out of the players on general manager Ran Carthon’s roster. Ryan Tannehill is a pending free agent, but Will Levis showed a lot of positives in his first year as a gifted, athletic passer who can rip it anywhere on the field. I see Wilson as an older version of Levis, and to me, that would make him a great guy to help Levis develop. The Titans also have decent components in the passing game with DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks and Chigoziem Okonkwo, though Carthon must retool the O-line.
If I’m Wilson, Tennessee is a second-tier option, given the overall state of the roster. But because of the chance to compete for the QB1 job with Levis, it wouldn’t be out of the question.
