The Great Denver Debacle: How Much Did They Shower Upon Russell Wilson?
The Denver Broncos, bless their orange and blue hearts, made a big splash in 2022. They snagged superstar quarterback Russell Wilson, hoping he'd be their golden ticket to the Super Bowl. They even, and here's where things get interesting, cracked open the vault for him. But just how much treasure did they end up shelling out? Buckle up, football fans, because this is a story of big money, surprising twists, and a whole lot of "oof."
 |
| How Much Did Denver Broncos Pay Russell Wilson |
A Shower of Guaranteed Gold: The Initial Contract
The Broncos didn't just hand Wilson a crisp tenner. No, sir. They signed him to a five-year, $242.5 million contract. That's a cool $48.5 million per year, enough to make Scrooge McDuck do a double take. $161 million of that was guaranteed, which basically means the Broncos were saying, "Hey Russell, even if things don't work out, here's a giant pile of cash. Consider it a 'thanks for coming' gift."
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
Here Comes the Twist: A Short and Not-So-Sweet Ride
Now, you might think that with a contract like that, Wilson would be leading the Broncos to victory parades for years to come. Well, that's where things get a little... complicated. Let's just say the love affair between Wilson and Denver wasn't exactly a fairytale romance. After a somewhat lackluster season, the Broncos decided to cut their losses and release Wilson in March 2024.
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
So, How Much Did They Actually Pay?
Here's the kicker: even though they didn't keep him, the Broncos still had to pay Wilson a hefty chunk of change. They ended up owing him $39 million for the 2024 season, thanks to those guaranteed monies. That's like buying a top-of-the-line sports car, only to realize it doesn't fit in your garage and then having to pay for it anyway. Ouch.
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
 |
But wait, there's more! Because of the way the contract was structured, the Broncos also took a massive "dead cap hit" of $89 million in 2024. Think of dead cap space like money that's just sitting there, taunting you because you can't use it to sign other players.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
The Moral of the Story?
This whole situation is a cautionary tale for NFL teams everywhere. Throwing big money at a quarterback doesn't guarantee success. Sometimes, even with a shower of guaranteed gold, things just don't work out.
Frequently Asked Questions (Because Let's Face It, This Was a Whopper of a Deal)
- How much TOTAL did the Broncos pay Wilson? We can't say for sure yet, as the contract extends over several years. But so far, they've paid him $124 million (guaranteed money) and will owe him another $39 million in 2024.
- How much is the dead cap hit? A whopping $89 million for the 2024 season.
- So, the Broncos basically paid Wilson not to play for them in 2024? In a way, yes. They still had to pay out his guaranteed money even though he wasn't on the roster.
- Did the Broncos win a Super Bowl with Wilson? Nope.
- Should I invest in the Denver Broncos stock right now? Maybe hold off for a bit and see how they navigate this situation.
 |
