In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, Russell Wilson, the veteran quarterback, was traded to the Denver Broncos on Mar. 8, 2022, from the Seattle Seahawks. The trade came after the Seahawks noticed a decline in Wilson’s quality of play, prompting them to part ways with the ten-year veteran.
The Broncos, who had been in search of a quality quarterback following the unsuccessful Drew Lock experiment, found their solution in Wilson. Initially eyeing Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, Denver turned its attention to Wilson, seeing him as the catalyst for reviving their offense.
However, Wilson’s tenure in Denver hasn’t been without its challenges. The quarterback was benched partly due to his reluctance to adjust an injury guarantee in his contract during the past season. Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton also cited the need for a spark on offense following a lackluster second half of the season.
While there’s a possibility Wilson could stay in Denver, there’s also speculation about his potential landing spots if he were to move on. Despite the significant dead cap the Broncos would face if they released him before June 1, several teams have emerged as potential suitors for the seasoned quarterback.
Potential Landing Spots:
Atlanta Falcons
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The Falcons, who drafted Desmond Ridder in the 2022 NFL Draft, have struggled to find stability at the quarterback position since the departure of long-time starter Matt Ryan. Despite bringing in Taylor Heinicke from the Washington Commanders in March 2023, Atlanta’s quarterback issues persist. With a desire to win now, Wilson could be the missing piece for the Falcons’ puzzle. Heinicke, in the 2023 season, threw for 890 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions as the starter for the team, accumulating a passer rating of 74.69 since he started in week nine of the season. The Falcons finished the remainder of the 2023 season with a 3-6 record with Heinicke at the helm after starting 4-4 with Ridder as the starter.
Pittsburgh Steelers
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Initially considered the top landing spot for Wilson, the Steelers have seen their position in the running shift in recent times. Despite their faith in Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh remains in a win-now mode, especially with defensive star T.J. Watt still in his prime. Pittsburgh fired their OC Matt Canada in the middle of the 2023 season, with former quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner taking over as a dual tandem offensive coordinator system to finish out the season. With a revamped offensive scheme under recently hired OC Arthur Smith, Wilson could seamlessly fit into the Steelers’ plans.
New England Patriots
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Struggling with turnover issues at the quarterback position, the Patriots turned to Bailey Zappe in the 2023 regular season after Mac Jones failed to deliver. Zappe’s stint as the starter yielded mixed results, highlighting New England’s need for stability under center. With Wilson’s track record of minimizing turnovers, he could offer the Patriots the remedy they seek Zappe finished out the year for the Patriots with a 2-3 record, throwing for 1,272 passing yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions.The Patriots felt strongly about Mac Jones after his rookie year, but have since lost confidence in him with the turnover issue amounting to be a substantial problem.
As speculation swirls around Wilson’s future, one thing remains certain: his next destination will have a significant impact on the landscape of the NFL.
