Russell Wilson's Dream 2024 Landing Spots after Broncos Benching amid Contract Rumors

Russell Wilson's days with the Denver Broncos may be numbered with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting the nine-time Pro Bowler is getting benched in favor of Jarrett Stidham.

This move comes amid a 1-3 stretch that has renewed questions over Wilson's future with the team. Nothing is guaranteed on that front, but the Denver Post's Parker Gabriel noted how resting him would make a separation easier.

"Wilson's contract contains a provision that, if he is on Denver's roster on March 17, his $37 million in salary for the 2025 season becomes guaranteed," he wrote. "NFL teams cannot cut injured players, so if Wilson were to play the final two weeks of the season and sustain a major injury that prevented him from passing a physical in the spring, the Broncos would be locked in to two more years of salary."

A similar calculus was at play for the Las Vegas Raiders when they — almost exactly one year to the day — benched longtime starter Derek Carr. Coincidentally, Stidham was the beneficiary in that situation as well.

Should Wilson hit the market either through a trade or outright release, these teams would realistically offer the most comfortable landing zone.

Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Drake London #5 of the Atlanta Falcons and Bijan Robinson #7 celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

A quarterback change of some sort could be on the horizon for the Atlanta Falcons.

Desmond Ridder has thrown for 2,528 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 appearances. He got benched for the team's 29-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, with Taylor Heinicke going 23-of-33 for 229 yards and one touchdown in his place.

Thanks to a 7-8 record, the Falcons are projected to have the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which means a trade up will likely be required in order to get one of the top QBs in the class.

Acquiring an experienced veteran might be a more sensible path to addressing the position, especially if the front office and ownership want to take big step forward in 2024.

Wilson would be joining an offense that includes Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts, so he wouldn't have to worry about whether he has the pieces to thrive in a new uniform.

Minnesota Vikings

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CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 16: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings gestures during a NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings would offer the same luxury, though Justin Jefferson's contract status will continue to carry a cloud over the organization.

Jefferson is signed for one more season with a $19.7 million salary coming his way in 2024. Should extension negotiations hit an impasse, the Vikings could decide trading him is the only course of action.

T.J. Hockenson's torn ACL and MCL were unwelcome surprises as well and present another question throughout the offseason, one in which Minnesota will be in search of a new quarterback with Kirk Cousins becoming a free agent.

Re-signing Jefferson may make acquiring Wilson difficult due to what the latter is presently earning and what the latter is likely to earn.

But few teams are likely to be more attractive than the Vikings if they can retain their full complement of skill position stars.

New England Patriots

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DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots walks onto the field prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

To a degree, this would be the absolute worst time to join the New England Patriots.

The organization is perhaps entering into the great unknown with the future of head coach Bill Belichick continuing to be a source of speculation. Thanks in large part to Belichick, the cupboard is pretty bare at wide receiver as well.

So the Patriots might be replacing arguably the greatest head coach in NFL history while having to totally remake its receiving corps yet again.

The front office may at least have the flexibility to make some major upgrades.

Over the Cap projects New England to have $74.3 million in salary cap space, which would not only be enough to accommodate Wilson's contract but also leave room to pursue another notable addition or two to the passing game. Signing Wilson as a free agent rather than trading for him would mean having even more cash on hand.

Washington Commanders

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 03: Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, takes the field prior to the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders on December 3, 2023 at Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As with every other team on this list, the Washington Commanders are likely to have a new quarterback running the show. Sam Howell's recent struggles and subsequent benching make it pretty clear he isn't the long-term solution.

Since Commanders are on track to have a top-three pick, they could zero in on USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye as the preferred target rather than an aging vet such as Wilson. New principal owner Josh Harris may also want to break the perception Washington is a clearinghouse for once-prominent QBs on the decline.

But a team with Eric Bienemy as the offensive play-caller, an aggressive owner willing to spend, and 2022 Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin would seemingly be a strong draw for Wilson.