If all goes well with new coach Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos will be able to highlight quarterback Russell Wilson’s strengths in 2023 while minimizing his weaknesses.
Wilson struggled under Hackett last season, but there is now optimism that the QB-friendly Payton will be able to get the best out of Wilson this fall. That’s what fans in Denver are hoping for, and it’s what Broncos Wire hopes to see as well.
There is a possibility, though, that Wilson won’t ever return to being the QB the Broncos thought they were trading for last spring. Wilson’s completion percentage has dipped in each of the last three seasons, and Denver might have to move on from the veteran QB before his contract expires.
Such a scenario could create a complicated situation for the Broncos given that Wilson’s contract would include massive “dead money” salary cap hits in each of the next three seasons. That makes Wilson likely to remain with the team at least through 2023, and perhaps even through 2024 even if he doesn’t return to playing at a high level this fall.
Here’s a look at Wilson’s salary cap hits and potential dead money cap hits for the next six seasons if he is released, courtesy of OverTheCap.com.