Russell Wilson Rumors: QB Eyes Team with 'History of Winning,' Wants to Be 'Bargain'

Following the Denver Broncos' announcement Monday that they will release quarterback Russell Wilson once the new league year begins on March 13, the 35-year-old veteran is reportedly already plotting his next move.

Speaking Tuesday on Get Up, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler discussed Wilson's desire to both play for a winning franchise and to sign with it at a bargain price:

"It can't be overstated what kind of value he is, because he can literally sign for the vet minimum because Denver's paying him $39 million, and I'm told that plan is firmly on his radar. He wants to help his new team by being a bargain. So, there will be a market for that. He wants to go to a team, I'm told to not only win, but has an infrastructure, a history of winning."

Since Wilson is due a whopping $39 million from the Broncos in 2024, he will still be highly compensated even if he signs at a low price, and that should make him even more attractive to quarterback-needy teams in free agency.

While Wilson's two-year tenure in Denver was largely disappointing, he will likely still appeal to teams in search of a veteran quarterback due to what he accomplished in his 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

During that time, Wilson was a nine-time Pro Bowler, reached the Super Bowl twice and won it all on one occasion, making him one of the few active NFL quarterbacks to have won a Super Bowl as a starter.

The Broncos traded for Wilson prior to the 2022 season and parted with a bounty of draft picks and players to land him, including two first-round picks and two second-round picks, tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock and defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

Denver subsequently signed Wilson to a new five-year, $242.5 million contract, which is why the organization is taking on an NFL-record $85 million in dead cap by releasing him.

Wilson's first season in Denver was a nightmare, as the team went 5-12, and he had the worst statistical year of his career, completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett and replaced him with Sean Payton in hopes better tapping into Wilson's skill set, and that largely did happen in 2023.

Wilson was much improved, completing 66.4 percent of his passing attempts for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight picks while also rushing for 341 yards and three scores in 15 games.

However, it still wasn't enough to get the Broncos in the playoffs, as they went 8-9 and missed the postseason for an eighth consecutive year.

Cutting Wilson suggests the Broncos will either look to sign a veteran quarterback like Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in free agency, trade for a quarterback like Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears, or take one early in the 2024 NFL draft by either staying at 12th overall or attempting to trade up.

As for Wilson, he should have plenty of suitors, as several NFL teams have either a definitive or potential need at the quarterback position.

Some of his possible landing spots include the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Of those teams, the Pats, Bucs, Raiders and Steelers have won Super Bowls in the past. Tampa has the most recent title, although it will only be in the market if Mayfield signs elsewhere.

The Falcons, Patriots and Raiders arguably stand out as the three most likely landing spots given their current quarterback situations.

Atlanta and Vegas both have a significant need at quarterback, but since they are picking outside the top five in the draft, they likely won't be able to land Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels.

The Pats can select one of those quarterback at No. 3 overall, but MassLive.com's Karen Guregian, Mark Daniels and Chris Mason reported last week that New England also wants to sign a veteran QB to keep the seat warm for the rookie.

While there is some uncertainty regarding whether Wilson is still a quarterback who can help a team vie for a Super Bowl, he played well enough last season and will be enough of a value that some team is likely to sign him and install him as the starter in 2024.