The Denver Broncos' decision to move on from quarterback Russell Wilson signaled the beginning of a fascinating offseason for the team, to say the least. But the Russell Wilson move doesn't help the Denver Broncos with their current salary cap situation. As a matter of fact, it makes it worse.
The Broncos are undoubtedly helped by the fact that the salary cap increased to a whopping $255.4 million this offseason, but having Wilson's dead cap on the books for the next two seasons means that there are soon to be other players sent packing whether via release or trade. Which Broncos players can we expect to be next following the Russell Wilson move?
1. Tim Patrick, WR
The Denver Broncos won't see Russell Wilson play a single snap on his five-year, $243 million deal, and it's possible that they won't see Tim Patrick play a single snap on his three-year, $34 million deal signed in November, 2021. It's been such a disappointment not to have Tim Patrick available these past two seasons, because he's one of the most sure-handed players the team has at receiver.
And at the time of his contract extension, Patrick was really ascending as an overall player.
Entering the 2024 offseason, Patrick is slated to count $15.57 million against the salary cap with the potential of $9.5 million in savings. It wouldn't be shocking to see Tim Patrick back in Denver this year, but he won't be back on this contract.
2. DJ Jones, DT
The Denver Broncos could save just under $10 million by cutting DJ Jones this offseason. While that doesn't seem like an ideal plan given the team's inability to stop the run last year even with Jones on the roster, the Broncos can't really afford to commit the nearly $13 million in salary cap space to Jones this coming season.
And with that $10 million in salary cap savings, they could probably add at least two impact players on the defensive line.
At some point, it seems like cutting Jones is inevitable. The Broncos expected a bit more out of him in terms of overall impact based on what we had seen in San Francisco.
3. Courtland Sutton, WR
There have been some cryptic posts being made by Broncos WRs Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick since the Russell Wilson release. And in Sutton's case, even before that.
Sutton has been in Denver since 2018 but it would be understandable if the 2023 season was his last with the franchise. He has two years left on his deal, and cutting or trading him could save the Broncos about $9.75 million in salary cap space.
It would create a gap at the receiver position, there's no question about it, but maybe the Broncos are interested in doing a bit of a reset at that position. We know Marvin Mims will have an expanded role this coming season, and with the Broncos picking up Jerry Jeudy's fifth-year option, decisions will need to be made on guys like Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick very soon.
4. Justin Simmons, S
I'm not ever going to advocate for the Broncos cutting Justin Simmons, but there's no doubt that his contract is going to have to be addressed this offseason. Simmons is currently accounting for $18.25 million on the Broncos' salary cap. He has no guaranteed money remaining on his deal. There are more than $14 million in savings available if Simmons is cut or traded.
The Broncos will need to approach Simmons about an extension, at the very least. Having him count over $18 million against the salary cap with the albatross of Russell Wilson's deal is not a realistic figure moving forward.
5. Garett Bolles, OT
Garett Bolles has a $20 million cap number in 2024 with $16 million available in potential savings if he's cut or traded.
Like Justin Simmons, I seriously doubt that there's a chance the Broncos would cut Bolles, but if the price is right, they might be willing to trade him and see what happens in free agency and the draft at tackle. Also like Simmons, Bolles is an extension candidate, but it's important to keep in mind that he's going to be 32 this year.
Bolles also has no guaranteed money left on his deal, and there have been rumblings that he's been unwilling to make adjustments to his contract in the past, likely holding out for some new guaranteed money on what will likely be his final big-money NFL deal.