Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson and his alleged contract demands
The Denver Broncos may have to open up their checkbooks to give Russell Wilson a contract extension, with the alleged numbers being revealed recently.
The Denver Broncos are eventually going to make Russell Wilson a very wealthy person. After six years of investing next to nothing financially in the quarterback position, Wilson might command a contract approaching a very, very large number.
9News’ Mike Klis kind of revealed what Russell Wilson might be asking for in a new contract. His entire quote on the matter can be seen here.
Although, he refuted the report in a recent Tweet on his personal account.
Zack, there are no contract talks. No one has asked for anything. I have clarified there is no asking price and I misspoke. I was spitballing. Stop with this. https://t.co/JpAm08gh3e
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) June 4, 2022
His original quote in the article indicated that Wilson would ask for a five-year extension at $50 million per year, and then Kils very quickly backtracked that statement, claiming he was spitballing.
To me, this could be a scenario where he did indeed hear something from the Broncos front office and was then being asked to retract his statement.
So, right off the bat, the numbers Klis alleges in this hypothetical contract shouldn’t be far off what Wilson would command next offseason.
There haven’t been any talks of an extension this offseason, which makes sense. Wilson is coming off a good season but by no means a strong one by his standards.
With being on a massively talented new team, Wilson’s camp is clearly betting on him having a great 2022 season, which would put him in the driver’s seat for a large extension.
You also have to consider other players who are poised to be extended next offseason that could become the new benchmark for QB contracts.
Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert could all receive very lucrative contracts next offseason. There is no denying that their respective teams will hand out massive deals, and I think Wilson’s camp is keeping an eye on that too.
So, let’s say Mike Klis’ report is accurate. Would Broncos Country be able to stomach paying an elite quarterback $50 million per year?
I think Wilson may end up somewhere in the mid-high 40s range once a contract is done, but $50 million is going to be given out to multiple quarterbacks by this time next year.
Wilson will be 34 this season and will be entering his age-35 season next year.
Some in Broncos Country may balk at the idea of paying a soon-to-be 35-year-old $50 million per year.
Others may be thrilled that Denver has a quarterback worth paying that much. I am personally thrilled with the idea that the Denver Broncos have a quarterback that might command $50 million per year.
The other side of this hypothetical contract extension is what it means for the rest of the roster. Looking at the most recent Super Bowl matchups, there really hasn’t been a Super Bowl matchup that featured a quarterback getting paid at the top of his market.
A couple of the games even featured teams with quarterbacks still on rookie contracts.
This is a valid concern. Will the Denver Broncos be able to realistically compete for Super Bowls after Wilson is given a massive extension?
Even Russell Wilson went to two Super Bowls and won one of them on his rookie deal.
I think Denver will still be able to remain a great team even after they pay Wilson, but it indeed might be harder to surround him with talented players, like every quarterback needs.
According to overthecap.com, a Wilson extension next offseason could save the Denver Broncos about $20.5 million in cap space.
With the salary cap projected to hit around $230 million next season, paying Wilson $50 million per year would be easier to stomach.
Remember, in the NFL, you aren’t going to be relevant if you don’t have a quarterback, and since the Denver Broncos have a quarterback, they’re in good shape, regardless of how much Wilson wants.