'Russell Wilson's time in Denver is tracking to be DONE', claims NFL insider Adam Schefter, as the Broncos are 'limiting their exposure' to the quarterback after benching him
- Wilson's time as the starter of the Denver Broncos is likely over for good
- He arrived in Denver last season after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks
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The Russell Wilson Era in Denver could be coming to a quick and inglorious end after news broke Wednesday that he was being benched.
It's believed that the reason behind this stems from a clause in Wilson's contract that would force the Broncos to pay him an extra $37million if he gets injure - but Denver is standing behind the idea that this is a football decision.
However, as ESPN's Adam Schefter believes, Wilson may have already played his final game in Denver after being acquired via a trade in 2022.
Schefter repeated the Broncos' claim that this was 'a football decision' on Thursday morning's episode of 'Get Up', but adds that there are other angles to the choice that go beyond Denver's claims.
'If it's a football decision, you have to wonder about that because certainly economics absolutely play into this,' Schefter said. 'Sean Payton acknowledged that.
![Adam Schefter believes that Russell Wilson's time as a Denver Broncos quarterback is over](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/28/16/79406733-12907235-image-a-39_1703779312958.jpg)
Adam Schefter believes that Russell Wilson's time as a Denver Broncos quarterback is over
![It was announced yesterday that coach Sean Payton would bench Wilson the rest of the year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/28/16/79406739-12907235-image-a-40_1703779323907.jpg)
It was announced yesterday that coach Sean Payton would bench Wilson the rest of the year
'And let's keep in mind that Russell Wilson has a $37million injury guarantee due on the fifth day of the new league year in March. That means if he were to get hurt in the final two weeks of the season, Denver would be on the hook for an additional $37m in guaranteed money on top of the $39m that they already owe him in guaranteed money.
'So there is a lot of money going to Russell Wilson either way. But the Broncos here are limiting their exposure to him. And we've seen this play out in Las Vegas with Jimmy Garoppolo, [last] season with Derek Carr, last season in Indianapolis with Matt Ryan. Other teams have done something similar.
'The Broncos are now using a play that they've seen before run in other cities. And as one person said to me yesterday, it's much better to be hired as Jarrett Stidham was with Sean Payton as opposed to being inherited as Russell Wilson was with Sean Payton.'
Schefter continued, saying, 'Sean Payton didn't trade for Russell Wilson. He inherited him from the previous regime. The Broncos committed a lot of picks to Seattle, a lot of resources and money to Russell Wilson.
'And I think when Sean Payton had the chance to work with Russell Wilson this year and Russell played well, he decided he wasn't worth what they would have to pay him in future years, which now leads to the end of his time in Denver after this season.'
When asked to speculate on what the Broncos would do with Wilson's massive contract, Schefter believes that the former Super Bowl champion will be cut.
'Essentially, there are always things that could change, but as it stands this morning, it is tracking for Russell's time in Denver to be done,' Schefter stated.
'He's got a no trade clause in his contract, so he's not going to agree to any trade to essentially help out the so would have to be released before the fifth day of the league year at some point, any point this offseason.'
![Wilson arrived in Denver in 2022 after being traded there from the Seattle Seahawks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/28/16/79406723-12907235-image-a-41_1703779326573.jpg)
Wilson arrived in Denver in 2022 after being traded there from the Seattle Seahawks
The decision would be a shocking end to one of the worst trades in the history of the NFL.
After a season last year that was by far the worst of Wilson's career, he appeared to begin recovering from his poor performance with a decent season.
But the decision to bench him comes as the Broncos are likely to miss this year's playoffs.
Denver gave up a massive haul to get Wilson that sent quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant to the Seattle Seahawks - along with two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth round pick.
Those firsts turned into a top-ten pick in offensive lineman Charles Cross and a top-five pick in cornerback Devon Witherspoon.