Rusell Wilson is still the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, but the writing is clearly on the wall.
The former Pro Bowler and his wife, singer Ciara, are reportedly taking offers on their Cherry Hills Village property in the Denver metro area, according to Thomas Gounley of The Denver Post. Shortly after the Seattle Seahawks traded him to the Broncos in 2022, the couple paid $25 million for the 20,000 square foot property. It boasts four bedrooms, twelve baths, and five acres.
Wilson’s decision to list his house for sale suggests that Denver will eventually free him. The 35-year-old’s $37 million 2025 salary becomes completely guaranteed if he is still with the team on the fifth day of the league season in March.
Wilson had a terrible 2022 season, but he bounced back for the recently concluded season. The seasoned signal-caller completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and an above-average passer rating of 98 in 15 games. However, he and Sean Payton never clicked, as the head coach benched him for the final two games of the season in favor of Jarrett Stidham.
With an 8-9 record at the end of the season, the Broncos missed the playoffs for the eighth straight year.
Assuming Wilson becomes a free agent, the former Super Bowl champion will attract multiple suitors, including the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Friday, DraftKings noted the Steelers are favored to land him after the odds dropped from +1400 to -110.
In contrast, Denver will select 12th overall in the NFL Draft of 2024. According to Tankathon, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy may be available to the Broncos at that position.
After trading for Wilson, the Broncos awarded him a five-year, $242.5 million extension, which was obviously a mistake. In his two seasons in Denver, he was 11-19.
The Broncos plan to spread the costs over the following two seasons in order to lessen the financial damage of his release, which will result in $85 million in dead money.
