Apr 25, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs during a Denver Broncos mini camp at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson extension is bad news for Lamar Jackson
The Denver Broncos have signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a five-year, $245 million extension, and Twitter is losing its mind.
Russell Wilson is going to be with the Denver Broncos for a long time.
On Thursday morning, news broke of Wilson inking a five-year, $245 million extension with $165 million guaranteed, locking him in through the 2028 season when he will be 40 years old.
Breaking: Broncos and Russell Wilson just reached agreement on a five-year, $245 million contract extension that includes $165 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN.
Deal now ties Wilson to Denver for seven total years and $296 million. Another massive QB deal in the books. pic.twitter.com/uk6yelOL3j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2022
For Wilson, the deal is phenomenal. The Broncos are paying him $49 million annually and essentially guaranteeing he’ll be making a massive chunk of dough for at least the next six years (his current deal has two years left before the extension kicks in).
For Denver, it’s a gamble which needed taking. The Broncos have been searching for a quarterback since Peyton Manning retired in 2015, with the team not making the playoffs since. Wilson turns 34 during this season and so there’s risk he deteriorates as the extension goes on, but he could also lead Denver back to the Super Bowl. Again, a necessary chance.
Twitter is having a reaction to the Russell Wilson deal
On Twitter, the masses are predictably laying out their thoughts on the new deal:
Make no mistake: Russell Wilson’s new mega deal with Denver is why Russell Wilson is not longer the Seahawks’ quarterback.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 1, 2022
Russell Wilson hurts Lamar Jackson trying to get a fully guaranteed contract. Ravens will surely insist that Deshaun Watson’s deal is an anomaly, much like Kirk Cousins’ was in 2018, after Wilson & Kyler Murray’s contracts.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) September 1, 2022
Broncos QB Russell Wilson’s new 5-year, $245 million was negotiated starting at owners meetings in March, b/w Denver GM George Paton/cap chief Rich Hurtado & agent Mark Rodgers. Owner/CEO Greg Penner jumped in the last 3 weeks.
Penner proved a good, sharp resource to close it.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 1, 2022
Russell Wilson had a ton of leverage in his negotiations: Denver just traded multiple 1st-round picks & more to get him. They had to pay him. Plus, they just got new owners.
And yet, Deshaun Watson’s deal is still the best deal in the NFL. No one has come close to his structure.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 1, 2022
Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett’s reaction, via text, to QB Russell Wilson’s five-year, $245 million extension: “F— yeah!” Suffice it to say, the new HC is pretty excited about where he and his new QB could take things.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 1, 2022
Denver remade its team this offseason with a huge trade, landing Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks while surrendering two first-round and a pair of second-round picks, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive tackle Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant.
For the Broncos, Wilson gives them hope of competing in the loaded AFC West alongside Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr.
